Just minutes after his speech began, President Donald Trump was interrupted by the sound of gunfire at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service was seen rushing to his aide before the shocked crowd could even process what was happening.
The shots rang out mere seconds after Trump mentioned that the “worst president in the history of our country took over,” and added, “and look what happened to our country!” He could be seen raising his hand to his ear, and was quickly pushed down behind the podium as the Secret Service agents covered him with their own bodies.
Soon after, the screams of the crowd could be heard as people began to understand that a shooting had taken place, and that many of them had possibly been injured. Voices could be heard saying, “Shooter is down, are we clear to move?” and another answers, “We’re clear!” Then, “Let’s move!”
Then Trump, surrounded by Secret Service and armed men, raised and pumped his fist and the crowd went wild, loudly cheering, “USA! USA! USA!,” as he was quickly whisked away. He was taken to a medical facility to be checked, reportedly with blood on his face.
The former president assured everyone that he is “fine,” despite some reports that he had been hit in the head, and others that he was shot in the ear.
Sadly, some of his followers were hit, and one of the crowd members, a former fire chief and father, Corey Comperatore was killed protecting his wife and daughters.
The nephew of Rep Ronny Jackson (R-TX) was also shot during the assassination attempt.
The gunman has also been killed, according to the Guardian. The shooter has been identified as 20 year old Thomas Matthew Crooks. He lived just 40 miles from the rally in Bethel Park. The shooting is being investigated as an attempt to assassinate the 45th president and current presidential candidate.
There are, however, serious questions surrounding this entire event. In a video on X is an eye-witness who claims to have seen a man with a rifle climbing on top of a building just a few hundred feet from where Trump was speaking. He says that he tried to report it to police and Secret Service, but was ignored.
Others on Twitter raise valid questions as well, such as why nearby rooftops had not been cleared and guarded by the Secret Service, and why the shooter wasn’t discovered by drone or even binoculars. For many, it seems suspicious that a shooter could get anywhere close to the former president and endanger him and the crowd attending his rally.
Along with their suspicions, Trump supporters and others quickly went to X, formerly known as Twitter, to show their support. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shared, “We are all praying for former President Trump, his family, and everyone at the Pennsylvania rally.”
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu stated, “Violence of any form has no place in America. Glad to hear that President Trump is doing well and wish him the best in a speedy recovery.”
Elon Musk tweeted out, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
As do we, Sirs, As do we.