BUTLER, Pennsylvania, July 14 – Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday in what authorities are calling an attempted assassination. This incident is likely to significantly influence the presidential race and raise serious concerns about the security measures surrounding the Republican candidate.
Trump was immediately shielded by his security team after the shooting. Moments later, he emerged with blood streaked on his face, raised his fist, and chanted “Fight! Fight! Fight!” The Trump campaign later assured that he was “doing well” and had not sustained major injuries.
Early Sunday, the FBI identified the assailant as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks, a registered Republican, was killed by Secret Service agents during the attack. The shooting also resulted in one rally attendee’s death and critically injured two others. Law enforcement officials have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.
The shooting occurred as Trump began his speech at the rally. He grabbed his right ear, saw blood, and then dropped to his knees before being covered by Secret Service agents. He reemerged shortly after, shouting “wait, wait” before being quickly escorted to a black SUV. On his Truth Social platform, Trump later described the injury: “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.”
The attack marks the first shooting of a U.S. presidential candidate since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. The incident, occurring less than four months before the November 5 election, brings into question the Secret Service’s effectiveness in protecting Trump, who, as a former president, receives lifetime protection.
Trump, 78, left Butler under Secret Service protection and later arrived at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. This incident has heightened concerns about political violence and security lapses during the highly polarized election season. Recent polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, show Trump and President Joe Biden locked in a tight race.
Eyewitnesses at the rally reported hearing four shots. Ron Moose, a Trump supporter, said, “I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked, also real quick. The Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could.” The shots appeared to have come from outside the secured area, prompting the FBI to take over the investigation.
Hours after the attack, the House Oversight Committee summoned U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on July 22. The committee demanded answers regarding the security failures that allowed the attack to happen.
Both Republican and Democratic leaders condemned 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.” House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also denounced the attack and called for a unified stand against political violence.
Biden’s campaign paused its television ads and other communications in response to the attack. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls indicate that many Americans fear rising political violence, with two-thirds of respondents expressing concern about potential violence following the election.
Some Republicans suggested the attack could be politically motivated. Representative Steve Scalise, who survived a politically motivated shooting in 2017, criticized what he called “incendiary rhetoric” from Democratic leaders.
Despite facing multiple legal challenges and prosecutions, Trump remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. He is set to receive the formal nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins Monday.
