Former President Trump’s rally on Saturday came to an abrupt end when a loud gunshot rang out during a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.
After the first pop rang out, Trump was seen clutching his ears and falling below the podium. Secret Service agents swarmed over him as screams erupted from the crowd. They wrapped him in a full-body embrace and carried him off the stage.
The Secret Service said in a statement that the former president is safe and that the incident is under investigation.
Police have not disclosed the details of the incident. They say that President Trump was speaking about immigration when suddenly, a sound like a gunshot was heard.
In a statement, the Trump campaign said Trump was “in good spirits” and was undergoing testing at a medical facility.
“President Trump thanks the police and emergency responders for their swift action in response to this heinous incident. He is in good health and is being examined at a local medical facility. More information will be released at a later date,” Trump spokesman Steven Chan said in a statement.
Trump was seen pumping his fist in the air as the crowd cheered before exiting the stage.
A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed in X’s post that Trump was safe.
“The incident occurred on the evening of July 13th at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.”I have writtenU.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: “The Secret Service has protective measures in place and the former president is safe. The Secret Service is currently investigating and more information will be released as it becomes available.”
The White House said President Biden was initially briefed on the incident, which occurred just days before the Republican National Convention began in Milwaukee on Monday.
Gov. Josh Shapiro (Democrat) also wrote in an X post that he had been briefed on the incident.
“Violence targeting any political party or political leader will never be tolerated. It will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he wrote. “I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice is on the scene in Butler County and working with federal and local law enforcement.”
The Hill has reached out to the Butler Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police for further comment.
Update: 7:05 p.m.
