Donald Trump assures Americans he is safe after apparent assassination attempt

Image via AP.

Donald Trump is reassuring the United States the former President was not seriously injured during what appears to be an assassination attempt, according to the Associated Press, during a presidential campaign rally Saturday evening about 6:15 p.m.

While Trump appeared to be injured in his right ear and voluntarily dropped behind a podium during an open-air rally in Butler, Pennsylvania while speaking to a large audience, he was quickly surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after what sounded like several gun shots. He was not seriously injured and walked from the stage on his own accord with the agents providing a buffer around him.

Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social about 9 p.m. that he is fine and remains robust. Trump’s post states:

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

CNN is reporting the “shooter” has been “neutralized.” CNN has also reported “the gunman is dead” and at least one rally attendee is dead. There is believed to be two other rally spectators who were injured.

The scene is still under investigation by a massive detail of local and federal law enforcement. It sounded as though there were several guns shots which led to the president’s ear being injured and he raised his right hand to his ear.

There was blood trailing from his right ear across his face as agents surrounded him and removed him from the stage and he raised his right arm to signify he was fine. He did so again as he was being ushered into a sport utility vehicle and taken from the scene.

A large motorcade left Butler Memorial Hospital shortly after 9 p.m., where Trump was being treated. While the motorcade sped away from the hospital, it was not confirmed that Trump was in one of the vehicles.

President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the situation in Pennsylvania:

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.

Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” President Biden said.

Biden also addressed the nation in a brief televised news conference that lasted only a few minutes.