- Donald Trump was rushed off the stage after an incident at his campaign rally on Saturday.
- Dramatic images show Trump with blood on his face.
- Trump pumped his fist in the air as Secret Service agents took him away.
Former President Donald Trump was quickly escorted from the stage at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night after a series of loud noises were heard.
Secret Service agents were captured on video rushing to help Trump, with blood splattered on his face, especially around his ear, as he was taken off the stage while pumping his fist.
A Trump spokesperson expressed gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for their quick response to
The Secret Service confirmed that the former president is now safe and is currently undergoing medical evaluation at a nearby facility. Further updates coming soon.
Reporters at the scene have said there was a series of loud noises before the Secret Service intervened.
This is an active crime scene, Secret Service officials told reporters and ordered them to leave the area.
“We saw a lot of people walking down and looking confused. I heard the shots, it sounded like between firecrackers and a small caliber handgun,” said John Yeykal of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who attended his first Trump rally.
Washington Post reporter Meryl Kornfield first reported that Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people were dead, including an apparent shooter.
The DA did not immediately return a call and email from Business Insider.
The attack, by a gunman who law enforcement officials say was later killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months after the presidential election and days before Trump is officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
Speaking to the nation about two hours after the shooting, President Joe Biden said he was relieved Trump was reportedly “doing fine.” He said he had not been able to reach Trump before his remarks and promised to update the public later Saturday on whether they are talking and further details about the investigation.
“We cannot allow this to happen,” Biden said. “The idea that there is violence in America like this is simply unheard of.”
Biden, who spoke without a teleprompter, said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an assassination attempt on the former president.
“I have an opinion, but I have no facts,” he told reporters, promising to provide updates as he learns more.
POLITICAL VIOLENCE AGAIN SHAKES AMERICA
The dangers of a campaign took on new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously wounded George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump’s. It led to increased protection of candidates, although threats continued, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Presidents, especially after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even larger security stocks. Trump is a rarity as both former president and current candidate.
Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you sir.”
Trump stood up moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand to his face. There appeared to be blood on the face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to utter the word “Fight” twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”
Watch the video below;
DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by readers and contributors to this site do not necessarily characterize the views or policies of LamarBlogspot. Please inform us of any inappropriate content so that we can prioritize evaluating it.
