This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle has been busy defending her agency, and rejecting calls for her to resign, in the wake of Saturday's attempted assassination that left President Donald Trump injured.
The gunman, 20, now dead, fired at Trump from the roof of a building about 120 yards away.
Cheatle said, during an interview, the building was secured from the "inside" because of its roof, which provided the gunman with a clear line of sight to Trump.
"That building, in particular, has a sloped roof at its highest point," she said in the interview with ABC. "And so there will be a safety factor that will be considered there that we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof. And so you know the decision was made to secure the building from the inside."
"That's crap," said former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night.
There are a number of circumstances that undoubtedly will need to be reviewed, including her decision not to send an agent to the roof of a building overlooking a Trump rally because of the slope of that roof, a slope that the gunman apparently had no difficulty traversing.
Other questions arise from a ladder and ammunition the gunman bought just before the shooting, and how he got the ladder up against a building to reach the roof.
There are other concerns, too.
A commentary at the Western Journal, for example, cited her repeated remarks that it was only a “short” time between notification of a potential gunman and the shots, which killed one Trump supporter who was protecting his family and injured two more.
"Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is a woman who has a lot to explain, and it turns out she's not very good at explaining it," the commentary said.
"Cheatle's record came under scrutiny almost immediately after the attack, with conservative activist Mike Cernovich noting Saturday that her profile on the government's website emphasized diversity and noted that her prior experience, before becoming the 27th director of Secret Service, was senior director of global security at PepsiCo."
Trump credited God's intervention with saving his life, as he was struck in the ear a millisecond after he turned his head. Without that move, he may have been struck directly in the head.
So how was a 20-year-old able to get within firing range of Trump while the Secret Service agents were supposed to be securing the location, and local police were helping.
"Diversity," the commentary charged, "has not managed to save a single person under the Secret Service's protection, at least that we know about, which makes the prominence given to that word just a little bit odd. And the fact that it makes it look like Cheatle was a diversity hire isn't her only issue…"
It pointed out that it was 26 minutes that elapsed after the shooting initially was spotted, and audience members contacted police about a man on the roof of the building, until he fired a barrage at Trump and immediately was shot and killed by officers.
Cheatle said that time period of nearly half an hour is "a very short period of time."
It was WPXI-TV of Pittsburgh that confirmed the gunman was seen by law enforcement nearly half an hour before shots were fired.
One source cited in the commentary said a suspicious man was reported at 5:45 p.m. Shots rang out at 6:11.
The report explained, "26 minutes after the second picture of Crooks was taken by law enforcement and the information called in, shots were fired from the roof of the American Glass Research building. Seconds later, a Secret Service sniper returned fire and killed Crooks."
The commentary also noted that "thankfully" Cheatle said it was an event "that should have never happened."
It's not the first failure on the part of the Secret Service in recent weeks. A woman agent apparently had to be physically restrained, disarmed and handcuffed after she had "an apparent mental health breakdown" while assigned to guard Kamala Harris.
ABC reported Cheatle expressed her opinion that such shootings are “unacceptable.”
And, she said, it "shouldn't happen again."
She also excused her own agency as "local authorities were tasked with securing the building where the alleged shooter fired the shots."
"We sought assistance from our local counterparts for the outer perimeter. There was local police in that building — there was local police in the area that were responsible for the outer perimeter of the building," she said.
She also claimed that the Secret Service "is not political."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Global stocks, cryptocurrency, and gun manufacturing stocks have begun to climb, following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
Bloomberg reported Monday the “Trump trade” momentum is picking up speed, as investors are betting on Trump to pull out a win this coming November.
"Trump's fiscal and trade policies will spur growth and add to inflationary pressures. The yield on 30-year bonds rose to 4.45%, surpassing two-year equivalents for the first time since January, steepening the curve," Bloomberg reported.
Bloomberg noted that growing political violence could cause concerns around the stability of the U.S., pushing investors to move their stocks into "haven assets" such as gold or real estate.
"While there's a risk that Trump's policies could keep upward pressure on interest rates, traders generally don't expect the prospect of his re-election to derail the stock-market trajectory in the long run, though a pick-up in near-term price swings is likely," Bloomberg reported.
In addition, the Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., parent company of Trump's Truth Social media platform, has gained over 30%.
Meanwhile, Newsweek and MarketWatch have reported cryptocurrencies and gun manufacturing stocks have soared since Saturday. Gun manufacturers Smith & Wesson Brands, and Sturm Ruger & Company, increased between 7.5% and 18%.
Economist and Trader Alex Kruger stated on X the Trump Trade is "on its way," and investors can expect Trump to be "bullish" on oil & gas, steel and coal, as well as onshoring if Trump wins the election.
Trump's policies on trade tariffs, tax cuts and energy independence for the U.S. are also expected to boost confidence for investors.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A Milwaukee homeless man was shot dead blocks away from the Republican National Convention Tuesday, after he was seen wielding a knife during an altercation with another man in a local park.
Identified by family members as Samuel Sharpe, he had reportedly been living in a tent encampment in King Park less than a mile from the RNC convention. Alexi Worley, a spokesperson in the convention's joint command center said there was nothing to suggest the shooting was connected to the event.
According to an eyewitness, he had at least one knife on him when police officers ordered him to drop his weapon.
"My friends … got into an altercation," the eyewitness told WISN 12 News.
"One had, maybe a four-inch blade, the police were up in the thing, they came out, told him to drop the knife, drop the knife, and he turned around because he didn't realize they were there … and when he turned back around, they shot him … to me that was murder, I just witnessed a murder by the police," the eyewitness said.
Other eyewitnesses said Sharpe was experiencing a mental health crisis, and alleged multiple police officers were involved with the shooting, while others said Sharpe refused to drop the knife.
A group of community activists gathered at King Park, outraged that officers from outside were involved in the shooting. The Fraternal Order of Police President Brian Steel, confirmed Columbus Police Department officers were involved in the shooting.
Alan Chavoya from the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression told reporters the group had "warned" the city, Milwaukee Chief of Police Jeffrey Norman, and other officials, that "outside agitators" coming into the city for the convention, would cause a problem.
Fox News also reported a 21-year-old man was arrested wearing a ski mask and carrying an AK-47 pistol blocks away from the RNC event. The man was discovered by Homeland Security investigators and Capitol Police during a security sweep. As of this writing, charges were still pending.
Melania Trump shared an emotional statement about the failed attempt to assassinate her husband, former U.S. president Donald Trump.
The former first lady condemned the shooter as a "monster" who saw her husband as an "inhuman political machine" rather than a man with a loving family. The remarkable statement is a rare example of vulnerability from the former first lady, who is known for keeping her personal life private.
Melania described her reaction to witnessing a bullet graze her husband's ear, nearly killing him.
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she said in the statement.
In the heartfelt post, Melania opened up about the things she admires about her "generous and caring" husband.
"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” Melania Trump wrote.
“The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”
Melania also shared her sadness for the other victims of the shooting.
A 50-year-old father, Corey Comperatore, was killed protecting his family, and two others were critically injured.
"To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me," Melania Trump wrote.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) July 14, 2024
Melania also encouraged Americans to set aside political differences and be civil with one another.
"This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence," she wrote.
"I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or woman with a loving family."
What an incredible, gracious statement from the former first lady. She just put to rest all of the nasty rumors that she doesn't really love her husband. There can be no doubt that Melania admires President Trump and is extremely upset that she almost lost him.
Democratic congressman Bennie Thompson (Ms.) has fired one of his staff members after she glorified the attempted assassination of President Trump.
Thompson, who chaired the January 6th committee, said he was "made aware" of social media posts from his field director Jacqueline Marsaw.
"I was made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer in my employment,” the congressman told Fox News.
In the wake of the attempted assassination, Marsaw said it was unfortunate that the shooter didn't have better aim.
"I don’t condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time ooops [sic] that wasn’t me talking," she wrote.
While Trump survived Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, the shooter killed a 50-year-old Trump supporter, Corey Comperatore. Two others were injured.
Some on the left have glorified the assassination attempt, but elected Democrats including Thompson have condemned it and President Biden has urged a lowering of the national temperature. even as some point to Biden's rhetoric as a contributing factor to the shooting.
"There is no room in American democracy for political violence," Thompson wrote on X. "I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident. I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.”
While Thompson has denounced the shooting, many say Thompson's statement rings hollow because he tried to deny Trump Secret Service protection.
In April, Thompson introduced a bill that would strip convicted felons of Secret Service protection. Thompson insisted that the legislation would impact Trump only by coincidence, but Trump is the only U.S. president in history who is a "convicted felon."
After the assassination attempt, Donald Trump Jr. wrote, “Remember, if @BennieGThompson and the Democrats got their way, my dad would be dead right now. Don't let them memory hole it."
Thompson has doubled down on defending the controversial bill, which has the acronym DISGRACED. He says it would not affect Trump because he hasn't been incarcerated.
In April, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in his "hush money" trial. His sentencing has been delayed to September.
“My bill would not have affected the Secret Service’s presence during this tragic event,” Thompson said in a statement Monday.
“It aims to clarify lines of authority when a protectee is sentenced to prison and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency. That does not apply to the former President.”
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The U.S. Secret Service is the agency assigned to protect government officials, specifically the president, vice president, and others.
The operatives also investigate some crimes, such as certain financial malfeasances, but it is known for its agents who protect Joe Biden, Kamala Harris – and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
It took only a fraction of a second on Saturday for that assignment to blow up in their faces, as millions of Americans watched as a sniper tried to shoot Trump, and injured him, during a campaign rally.
That near-catastrophic failure is going to reverberate for that government team now for a long time.
Was it the “diversity” demands imposed by leftists in the Secret Service bureaucracy that somehow failed Trump?
Was it a leftist ideology that diverted agents from Trump's detail to another, for Jill Biden?
Was it a failure to communicate and coordinate with local police, who often assist the Secret Service's security efforts?
Was it the fault of a leftist, and threatening, agenda to deprive Trump, deliberately, of protection.
And critically, what changes will be made so that another situation does not develop, and turn deadly?
Dan Bongino: ‘There’s only one entity that saved Donald Trump’s life’
‘The Secret Service director completely failed and should resign today’ #Trump #TrumpAssassination pic.twitter.com/t6uuzCPVDn— WorldNetDaily (@worldnetdaily) July 14, 2024
Former Secret Service officer Dan Bongino took virtually no time at all to blast the agency for failing.
He said it was Donald Trump who actually saved Donald Trump's life, and demanded the Secret Service chief leave.
Trump, himself, said it was God who saved his life.
He said, "Donald Trump knew to duck. Most people would. He saved his own life. That's just a fact."
Online, columnist Christopher Rufo said the failure traces back to the leftist ideologies being pursued these days.
He explained, "Amid all the chaos weaves the thread of another story, one that reveals a mounting problem in our political life. A surprising number of the Secret Service agents protecting the former president were women. And, according to video recordings of the scene, many did not acquit themselves favorably."
He said: "Scene one: after President Trump ducks, a group of agents leaps to him and protects him with their bodies. A female agent who rushes to the stage acts bravely, without a doubt, but the point of the 'huddle' is to protect the president. The agent was much shorter than President Trump, leaving his head and neck exposed after he stood up."
Then, he added, "Scene two: as Trump enters the escape vehicle, a female Secret Service agent fumbles her gun and cannot find her holster; another female agent appears confused and, in the moment of crisis, decides to use both of her hands to put on her sunglasses; a third looks frightened and uncertain."
The question Rufo raised: "Why so many female agents? The answer, unfortunately, is the same as in many other institutions: DEI. The Secret Service has highlighted 'diversity' as a key priority and its director, Kimberly Cheatle, hired by President Biden in 2022, has pledged to increase dramatically the number of women in the ranks."
So now the official policy of the Secret Service is to hire, and promote "woman, LGBT, Native Americans, and other identity groups" as a higher priority than the absolute brute strength needed to protect a president or candidate.
It was Cheatle herself to committed to the social ideology as a priority over safety.
Rufo said, "To say it plainly: there is no need for women in a president's security detail. The Secret Service is an elite institution that can funnel down a large number of candidates to select the few who will protect the president. The best candidates—the strongest and fastest, the best marksmen—will be men. That's just reality."
Commentator Michael Yon, a former Green Beret, noticed
Secret Service Humiliated
Note and video from intel guy:
Absolute humiliation for this gaggle of female Secret Service Agents.
Look at the disorder:
– Can’t holster weapons
– Gear falling to the ground
– Erratic, fearful movements
– No show of force, composureDEI Secret… pic.twitter.com/tXhAlg2z31
— Michael Yon: Callsign BIG HONEY 6 (@Michael_Yon) July 14, 2024
He said, "Secret Service Humiliated Note and video from intel guy: Absolute humiliation for this gaggle of female Secret Service Agents. Look at the disorder: – Can't holster weapons – Gear falling to the ground – Erratic, fearful movements – No show of force, composure DEI Secret Service make Presidents LESS Safe."
At PJMedia was a report that the foulup was because of the administration of the agency.
"According to Susan Crabtree of Real Clear Politics, sources within the Secret Service say that resources were diverted from the Trump rally… for Jill Biden. 'Secret Services resources were diverted to Jill Biden's event and away from Trump's because they followed agency protocol applying to Trump as a former president, according to two sources within the Secret Service community,' Crabtree reports in a post on X," the report said.
She said, "Trump is not just a former president — he is the first in modern history to have run for president again — and he has been the focus of several prosecutions and controversies (understatement intentional). Who made the decision to divert the resources to Jill Biden's event?"
That report also charged that Trump's usual protective detail had been working seven days a week, so many agents assigned to the Saturday event were "temporary replacements."
A report at the Post Millennial said the failure was because of a lack of communication between the agency and local police, who often help with event security.
The report said, "After the assassination attempt on Donald Trump over the weekend, the US Secret Service (USSS) placed blame on local law enforcement for failing to secure the rooftop where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate the presumptive GOP candidate. According to the New York Times, USSS spokesman Anthony Gugliemi told the outlet that the building, since it was outside the perimeter of the event, was supposed to be covered by local police, not the federal agency, during the rally. There had been four counter sniper teams covering the rally on Saturday, two of them were from USSS and two were from local police officials. Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police told reporters, however, that 'Secret Service always has the lead on securing something like this.'"
Reports have revealed that Secret Service and local police apparently had been told members of the audience had seen a man with a gun on a roof, but neither investigated in time.
And it is members of Congress who officially have insisted the Trump be deprived of any Secret Service protection should certain convictions in the Democrats' lawfare against Trump be successful.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Democrats have held a deep-seated hatred of President Donald Trump since he launched his first bid for the presidency. They manufactured the "Russia, Russia, Russia" lies, they attacked every word he said and every move he made, they schemed to create claims they would use politically for a failed impeachment-and-remove attempt. And then another.
All the while they've insisted over and over – and publicly – that he actually is a "Hitler," suggesting that he must be stopped by any means necessary.
Most legacy media ideologues have been willing co-conspirators to that agenda. And over the weekend when a 20-year-old Democrat donor tried to assassinate him with a sniper rifle, the headlines stunned with their bias.
"Falls at rally?"
Would this be because a sniper's bullet grazed his ear and he reacted by ducking down, to take himself out of the line of fire for followup shots?
Fox News said CNN’s report was that “the former president had merely fallen off a stage.”
The headline angered conservative lawmakers, as well as others on social media, who described the headline as "conscious deception" and "disgraceful."
"'Falls at rally'? Is this a real headline? This is disgraceful," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., responded. And Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said, "Even in a horrifying moment such as this they just can't help themselves."
The shooter quickly was taken down – fatally – by law enforcement.
Donald Trump Jr. also cited the media bias.
"Someone attempted to assassinate my father tonight and this is what @CNN is focused on. These people are vile," Trump Jr. said on social media.
CNN explained the headline was unleashed "before we had 100% confirmation of details surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Trump,"
But other publications had joined, including the Washington Post, which said, "Trump escorted away after loud noises at Pa. rally."
Social media commenters had no tolerance for the media agenda: "Your bias is disgusting," said one.
No explanation for how Trump changed the "rules of engagement" for assassination attempts.
Musician Winston Marshall posted on social media the outlet is "the winner for the most disgraceful, disgusting MSM headline."
"Straight to blaming the victim," Marshall said.
Eventually, the headline was changed to "US politics is laced with malevolence and division – it needs a reset."
But story writer James Matthews continued to blame, pointing out "there were reminders from Trump opponents about how, in the past, he had joked about the brutal assault on the husband of former Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi."
Not to be outdone by the media, various Hollywood personalities joined in with their claims, including actress Amanda Seales, who smeared egg all over her face claiming, "That —- was more staged than a Tyler Perry production of Madea Runs for President."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – Israel's coalition ministers warned Sunday the level of incitement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could lead to an assassination attempt on the long-term premier.
In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania Saturday, Netanyahu's political allies threw their support behind the prime minister, effectively warning the same thing could happen in Israel.
In an X post, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichay Chikli published two images side-by-side; the first was The New Republic’s representation on the front cover of its latest publication
of Trump-as-Hitler, while the second was a black-and-white image of Netanyahu, with a red hand-print – a symbol for murderous violence following the lynching of two IDF soldiers in Ramallah in 2000 – over his face.
"[The] assassination attempt against former President Trump is a direct result of the incitement and delegitimization campaign against him."
"In Israel, a horrifyingly identical campaign of incitement is being waged against Prime Minister Netanyahu and enjoys complete immunity from the attorney general and the law enforcement system solely because it is coming from the 'right' direction. Shame," he wrote.
Settlement Minister Orit Strook said she was concerned after the attempt on Trump. "There are credible threats against Netanyahu that must be dealt with," she said in an interview. "If those threats were made from the right, there would be administrative detentions. There is incitement to attack Netanyahu and nothing is being done," she said. In a post on X, she showed a letter copied to all government ministers and dated July 1, asking for a "review from the heads of the enforcement and intelligence systems on the handling policy on the issue."
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi also took to X to claim the situation against the prime minister in Israel is doubly grave. "The serious incitement against Netanyahu, his wife [Sara], and son [Yair], is closer to being implemented than ever before." He further argued the attorney general was not only allowing but rather encouraging this to continue.
Both Sara and Yair Netanyahu – the latter of whom is the elder of the prime minister's two sons – are controversial and divisive figures in their own right. Sara Netanyahu is said to wield outsized political power for an unelected official, and Yair too, whom Bibi has co-opted as a political adviser has often fought some of his father's battles – particularly aiming invective at political opponents online. It also cannot be avoided that Netanyahu Jr. is holed up in the luxury Miami apartment of one of the prime minister's billionaire U.S. backers. This can be held up in sharp relief to other senior political figures – in particular former IDF chief of staff and former war cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot – who lost both one of his sons and a nephew in the Gaza fighting. Whatever the wrongs and rights of the situation, Yair Netanyahu has been conspicuous by his absence.
There is no doubt Netanyahu is unpopular, with a Channel 12 poll published Friday showing 72% of Israelis think he should resign over the Oct. 7 debacle. Forty-four percent said he should quit immediately, while 28% argued it should be after the conclusion of the war. Of the people polled who said they were Netanyahu supporters, 50% said he must leave office before his term's completion. However, it is not entirely clear – despite growing weekly protests against Netanyahu, his government, and the lack of a hostage deal – that the situation in either Israeli politics or civil society is akin to the atmosphere immediately prior to Yitzhak Rabin's assassination in November 1995.
One aspect of unanimity among Israel's politicians, however, was in their response to the attempted Trump assassination. At the start of the cabinet's weekly session Sunday, Netanyahu took a moment to address the situation in the U.S. Speaking from Jerusalem, he said the shooting was "not only a heinous crime [but] an attempt to assassinate American democracy."
In the early hours of Sunday morning, he wrote on X that he and his family were praying for the former president's well-being. He followed it up later in the day Sunday with a video posted to X.
Israel's 11th President Isaac Herzog also expressed the nation's alarm at the events in Pennsylvania. He wished Trump a speedy recovery, while condemning "utterly and unequivocally the attempt on his life."
Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett, Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid all chimed in with expressions of support for Trump, and mirrored each other's horror at the assassination attempt.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Former First Lady Melania Trump is breaking her silence on Saturday's attempted assassination of her husband, former President Donald Trump at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Trump issued a statement on X Sunday morning, indicating: "I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans. We have always been a unique union. America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one."
"When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change."
"I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband."
"To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me."
"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration," she continued.
"The core facets of my husband's life – his human side – were buried below the political machine."
Melania described her husband as a "generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times."
Melania urged Americans to transcend politics and stressed "love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities."
She said the world can return to a place that ascends "the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence."
She also thanked Americans of all political views for supporting the Trump family in the aftermath of the incident.
"The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you," she said.
"I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide – thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family."
Bret Baier of Fox News described Melania Trump's statement "as really, really powerful, and may be a template for what she might say" at the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Regarding the actual assassination attempt, Baier said: "This is galvanizing more than anything I've seen in politics."
"People will walk across cut glass" now to support Trump, he added.
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life shocked the entire world.
By the grace of God Almighty, the former president is still alive, and according to Fox News, his son Donald Trump Jr. said that upon his release from the hospital, his dad was in "great spirits."
The attempted assassination at the hands of a male in his 20s came during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Multiple video angles show Trump grabbing his ear after shots rang out, which were fired from a nearby rooftop, and then falling down onto the stage while Secret Service agents rushed to surround him and contain the situation.
Trump Jr. explained to Fox News that his father was doing great in the wake of the brazen attempt on his life, saying he will "never stop fighting."
"I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits," Trump Jr., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him."
The former president released several statements in the wake of the shooting, updating his followers and fans throughout the evening.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
He added, "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
The incident sparked a massive, nationwide -- and global -- rally for the former president.
Ivanka Trump, who has not been involved with her father's presidential campaign, also released a statement.
She thanked everyone for the well wishes for her father and concluded with, "I love you Dad, today and always."
Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024
The president has also thanked all of his supporters and offered his condolences to the family members of the Trump supporter who was shot and killed at the rally.