POLITICS
Where is Trump now? Update on ex-president’s condition after assassination attempt
Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on Saturday, after a shooter opened fire on a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Former US president Donald Trump was injured when he was targeted by an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, Trump was hit on the ear when shots rang out as he gave an address in Butler, located some 35 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s largest city. Secret Service agents rushed Trump off the stage, with blood clearly visible on the right side of his face, as the 78-year-old held his fist aloft in a gesture of defiance. There were chants of “USA, USA, USA” from spectators.
Shooter identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks
One rally attendee was shot and killed in the attack, while two others were critically injured. The shooter has been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks fired “multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue”, according to a statement by the Secret Service, whose agents shot and killed the gunman.
Confirming that the shooting was an assassination attempt against Trump, the FBI said it remained unclear why Crooks had tried to kill the ex-president. In a press conference, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said: “We do not currently have an identified motive, although our investigators are working tirelessly to attempt to identify what that motive was.”
Trump lands in Newark after attempt on his life
After being rushed away from the scene, Trump received medical attention in Butler, before flying from Pittsburgh to Newark, New Jersey. Following his arrival in Newark, footage of Trump showed him waving as he descended the steps from his private plane. He appeared to be walking normally and unaided.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump thanked his Secret Service agents for their “rapid response” and paid his respects to the shooting’s other victims, declaring: “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.” He added: “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.”
Trump due at RNC next week
The assassination attempt took place just days before Trump’s next scheduled public appearance, at the Republic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trumps aides said on Saturday that he was “fine” and “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee”, where he will be officially named the Republican nominee for November’s election. The RNC begins on Monday July 15, with Trump expected to address the convention on Thursday July 18.