Butler, July 13, 2024, The Europe Today: In a shocking and unprecedented event, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday. The incident occurred as Trump was addressing a large crowd of supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania, located approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The assailant’s bullet struck Trump in the upper part of his right ear, causing blood to streak across his face. Despite the immediate chaos, Trump was quickly surrounded and protected by his security detail. Witnesses report seeing Trump grab his right ear with his hand before dropping to his knees behind the podium. Within moments, Secret Service agents swarmed the stage, shielding him from further harm.
Donald Trump Shot During Campaign Rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
The assailant was fatally shot by law enforcement, while the Secret Service confirmed that one rally attendee was killed and two others were injured during the incident. The authorities are treating the shooting as an assassination attempt, according to a source who spoke to Reuters.
Trump, 78, had just begun his speech when the shots rang out. In the immediate aftermath, he was seen emerging from behind the podium, his iconic red “Make America Great Again” hat knocked off, and appeared to mouth the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before being swiftly ushered into a vehicle by his security team.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump provided an update on his condition, saying, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.” He reassured his supporters of his resilience and determination to continue his campaign despite the attack.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed that Trump had left the Butler area under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the Pennsylvania state police. Republican U.S. Representative Daniel Meuser told CNN that Trump was headed to Bedminster, New Jersey, where he owns a golf club.
Leading Republicans and Democrats quickly condemned the violence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a peaceful political process.
