Previously German US-Ambassador: Imitators or Avengers are more likely
Former German Ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns of the danger of a violence spiral in the US election campaign. Such copycats - against Trump or avengers - against Joe Biden - are likely, he tells the "Tagesspiegel." This is all the more likely, as "multiple conspiracy theories will further confuse the already uncertain American electorate." Michael Link, Transatlantic Coordinator of the German government, also fears further political polarization in the US. "This must not happen. It is now important to maintain calm and respect. President Joe Biden did this with his call to Donald Trump," says the FDP politician.
6:06 PM Trump Supporters See Conspiracy Theories Confirmed
The shots at Donald Trump could be decisive for the upcoming US presidential election, explains Frank Umbach. The security expert finds it "inexplicable" that there were no follow-up investigations regarding the shootings and praises the Democrats for "the right reaction."
5:37 PM "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America" - Trump's Children Speak Out
The children of former President Donald Trump pay tribute to their father and thank the agents who protected him. "He will never stop fighting for the salvation of America," writes Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter alongside a photo of his father with a bloodied face raising his fist in the air. Eric Trump shares the same photo on Instagram with a similar message in capital letters. In an Instagram Story, Tiffany Trump thanks God that her father is still alive. "Political violence is never the answer," she writes, thanking the law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service, and honoring the victims. "As you saw today, my father is a fighter, and he will continue to fight for you and the USA." Ivanka Trump, who previously announced that she would not participate in her father's presidential campaign this year, also thanks the bodyguards and writes: "I continue to pray for our country," and: "I love you, Dad, today and always."
5:15 PM Shooter Had Explosives in His Car
The Trump assassin had explosives in his car, according to information from the "Wall Street Journal." The car was secured near the crime scene, reports the newspaper, citing unidentified sources. The weapon used for the assassination was bought by the father of the alleged assassin, reports the newspaper and ABC News further. It is said to be an AR-15 rifle. The AR-15 rifle was developed in the 1950s, initially for the military. The rifle is visually almost identical to the military version, the M16, which Colt sold to the military. The AR-15 is the civilian version. Technically speaking, continuous fire is not possible with this weapon. Skilled shooters can, however, fire many shots in a very short time.
16:59 Melania Trump also speaks out
Following the attempted assassination on Ex-US President Donald Trump, Melania Trump also speaks out. The guard who was killed in the attack was a "Monster" who tried to extinguish "Donald's passion, his laughter, his inventiveness, his love for music and his enthusiasm," explains the former First Lady of the USA at X. When she saw that a bullet had grazed her husband, she realized that her life and that of her son Barron were "on the brink of a devastating change." Melania Trump thanks the security guards of her husband.
16:26 "They're not behind me, they're behind you" - Trump campaign launches fundraising appeal
According to Brad Bannon, a democratic strategist, the incident could be used by Trump. It fits the narrative of the former US President that the country is on the wrong track. "The attempted attack generates sympathy for Trump," says Bannon. "It confirms also the perception of his voters that something fundamental is wrong in this country." Trump's appearances at the four-day Republican nomination convention in Milwaukee, which begins on Monday, could be fueled by the attack. "If the country wasn't a powder keg before, it is now," says Chip Felkel, a republican political analyst who is not a Trump supporter. Hours after the incident, Trump's campaign launched a fundraising appeal via text message. "They're not behind me, they're behind you," reads the message to voters.
16:08 Concerns before the convention: Republicans working with 40 security agencies
The chairman of the Republicans, Michael Whatley, assures that the agencies are working intensively to ensure security at the upcoming convention in Milwaukee. They are working with 40 different security agencies, as Whatley tells Fox News.
15:44 Top Trump advisors: "If something seems strange, please report it immediately"
Top advisors of Donald Trump's campaign team advise caution. "We are intensifying armed security presence 24/7 with officers on site. Additional security checks are being conducted. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all staff," quotes the "Washington Post" Trump campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles from a joint memo. "We urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. If something seems strange, please report it immediately to the leadership or a security team on site," it continues.
15:24 Witnesses describe chaotic scenes at Trump assassination attempt
During Trump's campaign speech in Pennsylvania, shots were fired, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses speak of speculation about fireworks, the sound of gunshots, guards on the roof, and the moment Trump fell to the ground.
14:58 Leading Republican: "We need to tone down the rhetoric"The President of the US House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, is working to calm things down. "We need to tone down the rhetoric," he says on MSNBC. "We need to lower the temperature in this country."
14:30 Expert: Trump assassination attempt is an opportunity for Biden
An expert says the Trump assassination attempt is an opportunity for Biden.
14:03 Trump calls for reconciliation "It is more important than ever that we come together," writes Donald Trump on his platform "Truth Social." He is looking forward to speaking in Wisconsin "to our great country" this week. In Milwaukee in the US state of Wisconsin, the Republican nominating convention takes place from Monday to Thursday. Trump writes further, he is praying for the wounded and keeping the memory of the slain citizen "in our hearts." Trump had already called for unity in his inaugural speech as US President in January 2017.
12:58 NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg shocked by assassination attempt NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is shocked by the assassination attempt on Trump. "I am shocked by the attempted assassination of the former president Trump," Stoltenberg writes on X. He wishes him a speedy recovery and is thinking of the victims. Political violence has no place in democracies. The NATO allies are standing together to defend freedom and values.
12:13 Video shows seconds between shooter's shots and Secret Service shots The American gossip news site TMZ shows a video in which it appears that both the shots of the assassin and the shots that likely saved Trump's life can be heard. The attack caused panic among onlookers. The recording was made from outside the area where the rally was taking place, according to TMZ.
11:40 Secret Service denies Republican allegation The Secret Service has denied the allegation that they had refused to provide additional security resources to Trump in the last months. "The claim that a member of the former president's security team requested additional security resources that were denied by the Secret Service or the Home Security Ministry is absolutely false," said Secret-Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. In fact, the Secret Service had recently increased security measures.
Few hours after the attack on Trump, Republican representative Michael Waltz said he had "very reliable sources" who told him that there had been repeated requests for stronger intelligence service protection for President Trump. Waltz did not provide evidence.
11:16 Steinmeier wishes Trump a speedy recovery Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemns the assassination attempt and expresses his condolences to the family of the victim: "I condemn the assassination attempt on the 45th US President, Donald J. Trump," Steinmeier writes in a statement. "Violence has no place in our democracy - not in America, not with us. We can all contribute: Let us condemn violence in political disputes! Let us push back hatred and incitement from election campaigns and debates! Democracy tolerates sharp controversies - but violence destroys democracy. Donald J. Trump and the injured wish a speedy recovery. My deepest condolences go to the family of the victim of the attack."
10:32 Expert: "Trump produced that image directly, instinctively" A few seconds after the shots were fired, Trump is seen getting up, covered in blood, and raising his fist at Secret Service agents. Political scientist Thomas Jäger sees the "master of political marketing" at work here. It remains to be seen if Trump can continue to spin his "witch hunt" narrative.
10:10 Sharpshooter appeared to have noticed the assassin just before the first shotsA video posted on X shows a sharpshooter at the Trump rally, precisely at the moment when the shots were fired. Sharpshooters are deployed at such events by the Secret Service to secure the area - which apparently failed in this instance. The sharpshooter seems to be observing something or someone through his telescopic sight. He recoils just before the shots are heard, suggesting that he became aware of the shooter as a threat in that moment. Shortly thereafter, the assassiner was shot.
09:23 Participant warned of the assassin before the attackBefore the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, participants had noticed a man with a rifle on a roof nearby. One of them, Greg Smith, alerted on-site security personnel: "Hey man, there's a guy with a rifle on the roof", he later told the BBC. The response was: "Ha ha, what?", implying that the security forces did not know what was going on. "I thought: Why is Trump still speaking, why didn't they get him off the stage? ... Next, five shots were fired."
09:15 Scholz condemns the attackFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on X regarding the attempted assassination of Trump: "The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is reprehensible. I wish him a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."
08:28 Photographer took picture of possible projectileDoug Mills, a photographer for the "New York Times", apparently took a photo by chance in the exact moment when a bullet narrowly missed Donald Trump. Michael Harrigan, a retired FBI agent, told the newspaper that "the photo could very well show the air displacement caused by a bullet". Generally, it is possible to photograph a flying bullet, Harrigan added. Mills used a Sony digital camera at the Trump rally, which can take up to 30 images per second. The photo was taken with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds.
08:00 Alleged shooter registered as a RepublicanThe FBI has identified the alleged shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old, who was killed during the assassination attempt, is from the small town of Bethel Park in the US state of Pennsylvania, an hour south of Butler, where the Trump rally took place. Crooks is registered as a Republican. According to reports he donated $15 to a Democratic donation organization on the day of Biden's inauguration in January 2021.
The "New York Post" notes that Crooks was 17 years old at the time of the donation. He registered as a member of the Republican Party in September 2021, when he turned 18.
07:46 Expert: "Secret Service needs to answer some questions"Donald Trump, as a former President and candidate, is under the protection of the Secret Service. At all campaign events, there are highest security measures, as Obama's former campaign advisor Julius van de Laar reports. It now needs to be clarified how it could have happened that a shooter was able to attack, despite these security measures.
07:38 World leaders shocked by attack on TrumpState and government heads worldwide are expressing shock over the attack on former President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes on X, expressing deep shock, wishing Trump a quick recovery, and expressing her condolences to the innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy," she writes. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expresses his thoughts with Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans.
The United Nations condemns the attack on Trump. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms," explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a swift recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shares that he is "appalled" by the news of the attack. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelenskyy also wishes Trump a swift recovery.
Biden had already stated on Saturday evening (local time) that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the US, there is "no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek speaks at a press conference, finding it "surprising" that the protective agent was able to fire several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he states that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Despite its name, the Secret Service is not a secret service but is, among other things, responsible for the security of US presidents and former US presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security locations should be," Rojek says. "And they are the ones responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service is not present at the press conference. "Nobody was available," Rojek says.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA Trump spokesperson posts a video that shows Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey without assistance. His injured ear is not visible in the video. The Republicans have already announced that the nominating convention will proceed as planned; the convention takes place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will officially be nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden stated that the Democrats would stop all campaign ads as soon as possible.
06:50 Shooter fired from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesperson, says the suspect fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside the event perimeter." This suggests that a roof near the rally could be meant.
06:39 Shooter is reportedly a 20-year-old from PennsylvaniaThe person who shot Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation of the "Washington Post." Officially, the FBI states that they have not yet identified the shooter, but are "close" to doing so. The shooter is dead. According to Pennsylvania police, it is too early to say whether it was a lone gunman. There is also no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump discharged from hospital late SaturdayAccording to a report by news agency Bloomberg, Trump was discharged from the hospital late on a Saturday evening (local time).
06:01 FBI confirms attempted murder against ex-President Trump at rallyFollowing shootings at a campaign event in the US state of Pennsylvania, the FBI has classified the incident as an "attempted murder" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempted murder against our former president Donald Trump," FBI agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured in the ear by the gunshots, according to law enforcement reports, and a bystander was killed and two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden phones Trump after attackUS President Joe Biden personally phoned Trump after the attack, the White House announced without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden was to be briefed by law enforcement agencies on the status of the investigation, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans to hold convention despite Trump attackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, despite the attack on their presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made the announcement in a joint statement. The Republicans are due to gather in Milwaukee from Monday to officially nominate the 78-year-old as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter fired from elevated positionThe shooter opened fire on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from an elevated position outside the event venue, according to the Secret Service. One person was killed and two others were seriously injured. Initially, it was reported that a seriously injured person had been identified.
02:55 Trump: I was hit by a bullet in the earFormer US President Donald Trump, in his own words, was injured in the ear by a bullet during the attack at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet that went through the upper part of my right ear," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
00:33 Shots fired at Trump: Secret Service escorts ex-President off stageFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage by security personnel during a campaign event in Pennsylvania after shots were fired. In the images, Trump is seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
In the context of the escalating tensions and political polarization following the attempted assassination on Donald Trump, it's likely that supporters on both sides will continue to express strong feelings, with some potentially seeing it as an opportunity to rally behind their chosen candidate. This could lead to Joe Biden's opponents grasping at conspiracy theories, while his supporters might call for unity and a return to respectful politics.
As politically charged rhetoric continues to influence the US Presidential Election 2024, former US President Donald Trump's children emphasize his unwavering commitment to the nation, painting him as a relentless fighter for America's salvation, irrespective of the dangers he faces.
