IRIA News

Former U.S. President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024. Trump was shot during an election campaign rally just days before he was set to accept the Republican presidential nomination.

The attack on Donald Trump took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Shortly after the 78-year-old presidential candidate started his speech during a campaign rally, gunshots rang out. The former president was struck in the right ear, causing a streak of blood across his face.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Trump shouted to his supporters, pumping his fist, as Secret Service agents swiftly escorted him away. His campaign management later confirmed he was in good condition, having sustained no major injury beyond a wound on his upper right ear.

The FBI identified the suspect as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Records show Crooks was a registered Republican, however, authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack.

According to the Secret Service, Crooks opened fire from the roof of a building approximately 150 yards from where Trump was speaking. Secret Service agents responded by fatally shooting the suspect. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was recovered near his body. The agency reported that one rally attendee was killed and two others critically injured during the shooting.

After the incident, Trump left the Butler area under Secret Service protection and later arrived at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The Secret Service issued a statement refuting claims from some Trump supporters that additional security requests had been denied.

“The assertion that a member of the former President’s security team requested additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false,” said Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. “In fact, recently the U.S. Secret Service added protective resources and capabilities to the former President’s security detail.”

Impact on the US Presidential Elections

The shooting took place less than four months before the November 5 election, where Trump is set to face a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Current polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, show the two candidates in a tight race. The incident has abruptly shifted the focus of the presidential campaign, which had recently centered on discussions about Biden’s fitness for office following a poor debate performance in June.

The Biden campaign, which had been attempting to reset its narrative by portraying Trump as a threat to democracy due to his persistent false claims about election fraud, announced a temporary suspension of its political advertising following the attack.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform the following day.

This morning, President Biden and Vice President Harris received an updated briefing in the White House Situation Room from homeland security and law enforcement officials. pic.twitter.com/TiEpc94DHM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 14, 2024

The aftermath of the attack saw bipartisan condemnation of the violence. President Biden stated, “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.” Some of Trump’s Republican allies, including Steve Scalise, speculated that the attack might have been politically motivated.

“For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America,” Scalise said. “Clearly we’ve seen far-left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop,” he added.

The attack on Trump is the first such attempt on a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. Other notable political attacks include the 2011 shooting of Democratic Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and the 2017 attack on Republican Representative Steve Scalise.

The assassination attempt has intensified concerns about the potential for political violence during the current presidential campaign and post-election period. These fears are compounded by the nation’s deep political polarization, with many Americans fearing increased violence.

As the Republican National Convention approaches, where Trump is expected to be formally nominated, the incident has cast a shadow over the proceedings and underscored the volatile nature of the current political climate.

International Reaction

Following the assassination attempt on former United States President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, world leaders have voiced their support for Trump and condemned political violence.

China: President Xi Jinping conveyed his “compassion and sympathy” to Trump through a spokesman, emphasizing that “China is closely following the situation surrounding the shooting of former President Donald Trump.”

European Union: Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said he was “shocked” by the news. “Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” he wrote on X.

France: French President Emmanuel Macron called the assassination attempt on Trump “a tragedy” and wished him a “speedy recovery.” “This is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” Macron said on X.

My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt. I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2024

India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the attack on his friend Trump. “Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. I wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured, and the American people,” Modi said.

NATO: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg condemned the assassination attempt, stating, “Allies stand together to defend our freedom and values.” He added, “I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies.”

Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “concerning and confronting” and expressed relief that Trump was safe. “There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” he added.

Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the shooting, stating it “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”

South Korea: President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea condemned the “hideous act” of political violence and expressed solidarity with Americans.

Taiwan: President William Lai Ching-te offered his thoughts and prayers to Trump, condemning political violence in any form. “I offer my sincere condolences to the victims affected by the attack,” he said.

Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the assassination attempt and offered his good wishes to Trump, his family, and supporters. He emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to ensure the integrity of the U.S. elections.

I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.

Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 14, 2024

United Kingdom: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his dismay at the “shocking scenes” at the rally and extended his best wishes to Trump. “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” Starmer wrote.