Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a town north of Pittsburgh. The former president was not seriously harmed, while the gunman was shot dead by security services. One bystander also died, and two others are in critical condition. According to the New York Times, an AR-15 assault rifle was recovered. The perpetrator of the attack had no ID, which complicated the early stages of the probe, investigators explained at a press conference during the night.
Trump had begun his speech shortly after 6 pm in front of his supporters, under intense sunshine. It was his last rally before the start of the Republican convention, which kicks off on July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Suddenly, a loud bang was heard. A short blast. The former president put his hand to his right ear. Two more similar bangs sounded, and Trump went to the ground, immediately surrounded by several Secret Service agents charged with his protection. In the stands behind the podium, participants also crouched down to protect themselves, not understanding what was happening. The ex-president remained on the ground for about a minute, with three Secret Service agents surrounding him. "We've got to move," one of them finally called out.
"Let me get my shoes on, let me get my shoes on," Trump said, still invisible behind the lectern. Then he slowly stood up, disheveled. He had lost his trademark red "Make America Great Again" cap. There was blood on his ear, and two streaks on his right cheek. Secret Service agents formed a wall in front of him on the stage.
"Wait, wait," said the former Republican president. He had an outstanding political instinct in such a dramatic moment: He clenched his fist toward the cheering audience. "Fight, fight!" he cried out. The photos of the scene were immediately recorded in the history books. "USA! USA!" his supporters shouted back. Trump continued to clench his fist, descended a few steps, leaning on a female agent who was also holding his red cap, and finally entered a large black SUV.
Shortly afterwards, Steven Cheung, the former president's spokesman, issued a brief statement emphasizing that Trump thanked law enforcement and first responders "for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out a local medical facility." At around 8 pm, Trump published a message on his Truth Social media network. In it, he offered his condolences to the family of the dead bystander and those of the injured people. "Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead," he added. "I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear." He said he heard "a whizzing sound, shots" and that "much bleeding took place." He concluded: "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
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