A White House spokesman told Fox News that President Biden spoke with former President Trump on Saturday night following the shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The former president appeared in court with a wounded ear and blood running down his face after the shooting. He was released from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh late Saturday night.
Biden also met with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed Saturday evening by Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall, Attorney General Merrick Garland, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Biden campaign pulls ads following Trump rally shooting
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is escorted off stage during a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A spokesman said the president was returning to the White House from his Delaware home and was due to receive an update from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials on Sunday.
“I have received reports of a shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement. “I am pleased to hear that Mr. Trump is safe and well. As we await more information, we are praying for Mr. Trump, his family and all those who were at the rally. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for evacuating Mr. Trump to safety. Violence like this has no place in America, and we must come together as a country to condemn it.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting.
The Secret Service confirmed that one spectator was killed and two were wounded in the shooting, and the shooter also died.
“At approximately 6:15 p.m. on July 13, during former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a suspected gunman fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
“US Secret Service agents neutralized the shooter, who died,” the statement added. “US Secret Service immediately mobilized protective measures and former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed and two were seriously injured. The incident remains under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
Trump claims he was ‘shot by a bullet’ in assassination attempt at Pennsylvania rally
The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Politicians from all walks of life condemned the shooting.
After the incident, President Trump thanked police for their swift response and offered his condolences to the spectators who died.
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement for their swift response to the shooting that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump said in a statement. “More than anything, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the individual who died at the rally and the family of the other individual who was seriously injured.”
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“I can’t believe something like this happened in our country,” he continued. “We don’t know anything about the perpetrator at this time. He is already deceased. I was shot above my right ear. I knew right away something was wrong as I heard a whoosh and a gunshot and felt the bullet penetrate my skin. I was bleeding profusely and knew what was going on. God Bless America!”
Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.
