Donald Trump Rally Shooting Live: Biden Calls for Calm, Unity
Here’s What We Know About the Trump Rally Shooting
A shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally has prompted global concern and condemnation as authorities investigate the incident. Here’s what we know so far:
What Happened:
The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman fired multiple shots from an “elevated position” outside the rally before being killed by Secret Service personnel. Police sources say the shooter was on a building rooftop. Videos show Trump being quickly escorted away by security personnel with blood on his face.
Eyewitness Testimonies:
Rally attendees described the aftermath as “pandemonium,” with widespread confusion. Some initially thought the sounds were fireworks, while others saw people hit by gunfire.
Casualties:
The incident left at least one audience member dead and two others critically injured, according to the Secret Service. The gunman is also dead.
Trump’s Status:
A spokesperson said Trump is “fine,” and the Secret Service confirmed he was safe. The former president posted on social media that he was hit by a bullet in the “upper part of my right ear.”
Investigation:
Multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, are involved in the investigation. Law enforcement officials are treating the shooting as a possible assassination attempt.
Biden’s Statement:
President Joe Biden spoke with Trump after the shooting, expressing gratitude that Trump was safe. He condemned the shooting and called for national unity, stating: “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence.” Biden returned to the White House from Delaware early to continue being briefed on the situation.
World Reacts:
US and global leaders have condemned the shooting and expressed condolences for the victims.
Carter Center Calls on “All Americans to Embrace Civility” Following Trump Rally Shooting
The Carter Center, a nonprofit founded by former President Jimmy Carter, condemned the violence and called for civility following the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“The Carter Center condemns the violence that took place at former President Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. While we don’t know all the facts, we do know that all Americans should be able to gather peaceably without fear of violence,” a statement from the Carter Center said.
“Our thoughts are with President Trump and all those affected by this horrific act, and we call on all Americans to embrace civility in our democratic processes,” the statement continued.
Who is Trump Rally Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Authorities have identified the gunman involved in the attack against former US President Donald Trump on Saturday as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene after the shooting.
The FBI identified Crooks as a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania – about 35 miles south of Butler, where Trump was holding his rally.
Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, according to local media reports and a video of the school’s commencement.
He was registered to vote as a Republican, according to a listing in Pennsylvania’s voter database that matched his name, age, and Bethel Park address. This address was searched by law enforcement Saturday night and is linked to Crooks in public records.
This year’s presidential election would have been the first he was old enough to vote in.
Federal Election Commission records show that a donor named Thomas Crooks with the same address gave $15 to a Democratic-aligned political action committee called the Progressive Turnout Project in January 2021.
Witness Saw Gunman Moving “From Roof to Roof” Before Shooting
A witness claims he informed officers that he saw a gunman moving “from roof to roof” moments before the assassination attempt on Trump at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
Ben Macer was along a fence line when he saw “the guy move from roof to roof. (I) told an officer (the alleged shooter) was on the roof,” according to CNN affiliate KDKA.
“When I turned around to go back to where I was, that’s when the gunshots started. Then it was just chaos, and we all came running away,” Macer told KDKA.
Authorities have identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
The FBI identified him as a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania – about 35 miles south of Butler, where Trump was holding his rally.
More World Leaders Share Concern and Shock After Trump Rally Shooting
Chinese President Xi Jinping:
“China is concerned about the shooting of former President Trump. President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences to former President Trump,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:
“I am shocked by the attempted assassination on former President Trump. I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris:
“What we saw last night from Pennsylvania was frightening and wrong. It is a relief that former President Trump is safe and survived the assassination attempt. Our hearts are with the innocent spectators killed and critically injured. There can be no place for political violence.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi:
“I followed with concern the treacherous incident that happened to former US President and presidential candidate Donald Trump. While I affirm Egypt’s condemnation of the incident, I express my wishes for a speedy recovery for President Trump, and the completion of the US election campaigns in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free of any manifestations of terrorism, violence or hatred.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz:
“The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts are also with the people affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy.”
French President Emmanuel Macron:
“My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt. I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, and several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:
“I am deeply shocked by the shooting that took place during former President Trump’s campaign rally. I wish Donald Trump a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family of the innocent victim. Political violence has no place in a democracy.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof:
“Shocked by the attack on former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump. It is a relief that his injuries appear to be minor. I wish him a full and speedy recovery and I send my best wishes to him and his family. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this attack. Political violence is entirely unacceptable.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni:
“I am following with apprehension the updates from Pennsylvania, where the 45th President of the United States @realDonaldTrump was shot during a rally. My solidarity and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to him, with the hope that the next few months of the electoral campaign will see dialogue and responsibility prevail over hatred and violence.”
“Let Me Get My Shoes”: What Was Said on Stage in the Seconds After Trump Was Shot
Moments after he was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday afternoon, Donald Trump was seen with blood on his ear and cheek as he was rushed off the stage.
Audio reveals how the chaotic shooting scene played out from Trump’s perspective and those involved in getting him to safety.
Trump was in the middle of speaking when several shots rang out. He clasped his ear and ducked as Secret Service agents surrounded him. “Get down, get down, get down,” one said. Another shot sounded, and a woman screamed.
Several voices of Secret Service agents were heard – one saying “up!” another “stairs are ready, stairs are ready.” Trump’s words were indistinct. More agents went on stage, some holding assault rifles. Trump’s supporters in the background looked shocked, while some filmed with their phones.
After hearing that the shooter was down, Trump and the agents stood up. Here’s what was said:
Trump: “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes.”
Male Agent: “I got you, sir, I got you, sir.”
Trump: “Let me get my shoes.”
Another Male Agent: “Hold on, your head is bloody.”
Male Agent: “Sir, we’ve got to move to the car, sir.”
Trump: “Let me get my shoes.”
A female agent said, “OK,” before mentioning something about the shoe.
Trump: “Wait, wait, wait.” He then fist-pumped to the crowd, mouthing “fight” three times — a move met with cheers from the crowd.
Trump and the Secret Service team moved away from the podium and headed to the cars as the crowd chanted, “USA. USA. USA.”
Trump Says the Country Must “Stand United” After Surviving Assassination Attempt
Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform again this morning after surviving an assassination attempt at his rally yesterday.
“It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump said of the shooting, which left at least one attendee dead and two critically wounded. “We will FEAR NOT.”
He said he would remain “resilient” and added, “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.”
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win,” he said. “I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin.”
Trump is expected to still attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins Monday.
Associated Press Photographer “Went Into Work Mode” to Capture Iconic Trump Photo
Evan Vucci, a veteran photographer at The Associated Press, on Sunday described his experience capturing the assassination attempt against Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“Over my left shoulder, I heard pops, and I knew immediately what it was, and I just kind of went into work mode,” Vucci said to Kasie Hunt on “CNN This Morning.”
Vucci captured the photo of a bloodied Trump raising his fist in the air after he was grabbed by Secret Service agents. His experience in covering wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was helpful in knowing what to do, he explained: “That experience does help, trying to stay calm and understand you have a job to do.”
“As a still photographer, I don’t get a second chance,” Vucci said.
Some Trump Supporters Blame the Media for Assassination Attempt
Moments after Donald Trump was rushed to safety following a failed assassination attempt at a Saturday rally, some of his supporters turned toward the press pen with obscenities, blaming reporters.
“This is your fault!” one attendee emphatically yelled, pointing at individual journalists as he approached the fence line separating them from attendees. “This is your fault!”
“It is your fault!” exclaimed another.
Axios reporter Sophia Cai, who quoted some in the crowd warning the press, “you’re next” and that their “time is coming,” even reported that a few rallygoers tried to breach the barriers surrounding the press pen, but they were stopped by security personnel.
In the immediate wake of the shooting, the news media has quickly emerged among some Trump supporters as a body to assign blame.
While the Trump campaign urged its staff to “condemn all forms of violence” and stated it “will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media,” some of Trump’s supporters in MAGA media vehemently assailed the press for its hard-knuckled reporting on Trump, which has highlighted concerns about another term under the former president.
Over the course of the campaign cycle, news organizations have reported extensively on Trump’s plans to manipulate the federal government for his own ends, including seeking vengeance against his political opponents. That reporting is now facing scrutiny, with some Trump supporters blaming it for creating a charged atmosphere that led to the assassination attempt, while largely overlooking the incendiary rhetoric of the former president himself.
Biden and His Campaign Grapple with How and When to Resume Advertising Against Trump
President Joe Biden and his campaign are facing a sudden pivot point: After spending the last two weeks trying to salvage the president’s reelection bid, they are now grappling with a delicate national moment following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The Biden campaign and Democrats across the party scrambled Sunday to adjust their plans to counter messaging at the Republican National Convention, which had been in the works for some time.
“The big issue is how to campaign against him or attack him,” a senior Democratic adviser told CNN. “Can we even do that this week?”
The Biden campaign has yet to decide when to resume its advertising campaign against Trump after pulling the ads Saturday. But that, a separate Democratic strategist said, was the easy decision. A harder question is how and when to resume, with 114 days until the election.
Biden is rescheduling his trip to Texas on Monday, the White House said Sunday afternoon. He was set to deliver remarks at the LBJ Library in Austin as part of an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
FBI Says Shooter’s Motives Are Unclear So Far
Law enforcement blocked a street near the residence of Thomas Matthew Crooks in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
FBI officials repeatedly emphasized Sunday that their investigation into Saturday’s shooting at Trump’s rally is in its preliminary stages, and agents are still working to understand what happened.
The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had no prior contacts with the FBI and had not previously been on their radar. Investigators are struggling to understand Crooks’ motives.
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate told reporters on Sunday that law enforcement officers are sifting through Crooks’ background, day-to-day activities, and social media presence, though they have so far not “seen anything threatening.”
Abbate said they had “limited insights into recent communications he’s made, text and phone call details.” That information has thus far not “revealed anything with regard to motive or the involvement or knowledge of anyone else” in the shooting, Abbate said.
Crooks used an AR-style 556 rifle purchased legally by his father, and investigators are still working to understand how he gained access to his father’s firearm. He also had “rudimentary” explosive devices in his car, which are being investigated at Quantico.
