In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped a fatal assassination attempt during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred while Trump was addressing his supporters, comparing his record on shutting down illegal immigration to President Joe Biden's open border policies.
As Trump said, "If you really want to see something this sad, take a look at what happened—" the crowd was abruptly cut off by the sound of between eight and ten gunshots. In the chaos that ensued, Trump instinctively grasped his right ear as blood spewed over his face before ducking down.
U.S. Secret Service agents immediately swarmed the stage, shielding the former president and conducting a rapid assessment. As Trump was pinned to the ground, the agents confirmed that the shooter was down. Amidst the chaos, Trump could be heard saying, "Let me get my shoes," as the agents propped him up. In a show of resilience, Trump clenched his fist and shouted, "Fight, fight, fight!" even as blood trickled down his face.
Trump was rushed to a local hospital, where he received treatment for his gunshot wound. In a statement on Truth Social, he confirmed he had been struck by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear. "I knew immediately that something was wrong when I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and felt the bullet ripping through my skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" he wrote.
The former president expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their rapid response and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and injured rally attendees. "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country," he lamented.
The assassination attempt comes just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is expected to be formally nominated as the GOP candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Despite the attack, his campaign confirmed that Trump will still attend the convention as planned.
"President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action. He looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States," his campaign stated. "As our party's nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again."
This alarming incident underscores the volatile political climate as the nation heads into another heated election season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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