After reports initially claimed that former President Donald Trump was cut by shattered glass during a shooting at his Pennsylvania rally, he is now breaking his silence and claiming it was a “bullet that pierced [his] right ear.”
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As previously reported, Donald Trump was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday (July 13) when a gunman opened fire in the direction of the GOP nominee in the 2024 presidential election. At the time, it was not clear if the “loud noises” that erupted as Trump made his speech were confirmed gunshots.
However, the Associated Press updated that gunfire did erupt at Donald Trump’s rally and that he was doing “fine” after leaving the stage with a bloody ear. It was also reported by Representative Dan Meuser, who was near Trump at the rally, that there were 8 to 10 gunshots that rung out. Meuser said that other attendees in the crowd may have been hit by what sounded like a .22 or small caliber weapon.
AP also reported that the suspected shooter was killed by Secret Service agents and that one other attendee was killed in the incident. They added that Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger told them in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead, and at least one rally attendee was killed during the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally.
At one point during initial reporting, TMZ shared that a source who spoke with the Secret Service told them that former president Donald Trump was not hit by a bullet at his Pennsylvania rally. Instead, sources claimed that a bullet hit his teleprompter and that the shattered glass flew and struck him by his ear, causing him to bleed, as seen in many viral photos and videos.
Trump later broke his silence on Truth Social, writing, “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of the Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Current President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, plus former President Barack Obama, also spoke out on the Pennsylvania rally shooting in which Donald Trump said he was struck by a bullet.
President Biden: “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Vice President Harris: “I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Former President Obama: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
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