Tech billionaire Elon Musk formally endorsed former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening, minutes after a gunman was fired at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I fully support President Trump and wish him a speedy recovery,” Musk, the Tesla CEO and X owner, said in response to a video showing the former president surrounded by Secret Service agents and bleeding from the side of his face after an apparent gun attack at the rally.
In the video, Trump appears to show Americans he is still alive, instructing the Secret Service to wait a moment, then pumping his fist and defiantly yelling, “Fight, fight, fight.” The crowd is then shown to rise and cheer the former president before being escorted off the stage by security.
I fully support President Trump and wish him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
A closer look at the video (Breitbart News is working on editing it for clarity and will post it here when it’s ready) shows Trump just turning his head as a gunshot rings out. He then falls to the floor, clutching his ears, as Secret Service agents rush to his side. After a few seconds, the agent says, “The shooter’s down,” and helps Trump to his feet and escorts him outside.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi Said After the incident, he posted to X, “The Secret Service is taking protective measures and the former president is safe.”
“The Secret Service is currently investigating and further information will be released as it becomes available,” he added.
The incident occurred at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13. The Secret Service has taken protective measures and the former president is safe. The Secret Service is currently investigating and more information will be released as it becomes available.
—Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 13, 2024
Musk also shared a photo of President Trump with his fist raised high and bleeding on X, without any caption.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
“The last time America had a candidate that tough was Theodore Roosevelt,” Musk further commented.
The last time America had such a tough candidate was Theodore Roosevelt.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Musk has previously refused to endorse anyone in November’s presidential election, calling both Trump and President Joe Biden “talking puppets” after the first presidential debate in June.
But Musk, the world’s richest man, came off the sidelines in July and reportedly donated some of his vast fortune to a pro-Trump super PAC to help Trump’s reelection. The news of Musk’s donation came as he has become increasingly critical of Biden and the policies of his administration.
