FORMER President of the United States of America, Mr Donald Trump Saturday escaped being assassinated by the whiskers after he was shot at during a political event in Pennsylvania.
Eighteen-Eleven Media gathered that the shooting injured the former President and was quickly rushed out of the podium to safety.
A viral picture shows the former president, who is the candidate of the Republican Party in the election slated for later in the year, rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during al the rally on 13 July 2024.
In a social media post shared on Saturday night, Trump thanked law enforcement officials for their quick actions after he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Meanwhile, the Butler County District Attorney confirms to CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA that two people are dead — the gunman and an audience member.
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News the gunman was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Two other attendees are in critical condition.
Reporters heard numerous shots and Secret Service rushed the stage. Video captured by CBS News shows Trump touching his ear and then crouching to the ground. Some blood could be seen on his face.
Mr Trump later took to his Truth Social network to express how he felt during the shooting. He said a bullet pierced the “upper part” of his right ear.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Mr Trump wrote. “Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”
The shooting has been condemned by Mr Trump’s main opponent in the presidential election, President Joe Biden, as well as Mr Biden’s predecessor, Barack Obama.
In his reaction to the shooting, President Biden said, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. Everybody must condemn it.”
Mr Biden later spoke to Mr Trump, the White House said.
Condemning the attack, former president, Barack Obama posted on his X account: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery”.
It is unclear how the shooting will impact the November US presidential election that sees Mr Trump locked in a close race with Mr Biden of the Democratic Party.
Mr Trump, 78, is popular among conservatives and right-wing voters and has repeatedly campaigned against immigration and vowed to deport thousands of illegal immigrants.
Mr Biden, 81, who is currently the Democratic Party candidate, supports a more inclusive society and has created pathways for illegal immigrants without crime records to become American citizens. He faces internal criticism from his party following concerns about his cognitive ability, especially after a poor debate performance against Mr Trump.Although there have been calls from some Democrats that he should drop from the race, the president has said he would not and would defeat Mr Trump in the election.
Eighteen-Eleven Media