Trump survives ‘assassination attempt’

Former US President Donald Trump was hit in the ear in an assassination attempt by a gunman at a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania.

Trump was seen bloodied on his right ear as he was being evacuated from the stage, according to social media footage.

The Secret Service said it implemented protective measures and the former president is safe.

One rally spectator was killed and two others were critically injured, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

The Secret Service said the shooter fired multiple shots from an “elevated position” outside of the rally before he was killed by agents.

The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, US media reported early Sunday. His motive remains unknown.

The FBI confirmed in a press conference that the shooting was being treated as “an assassination attempt against our former president, Donald Trump.”

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he is “grateful” Trump is safe. He later spoke to Trump, the White House said.

– ‘Ripping through the skin’ – 

Trump, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, had just started speaking at his final rally before the Republican National Convention when multiple bangs ran out.

He grimaced and clutched his ear, with blood visible on his ear and cheek, then ducked to the floor as Secret Service agents swarmed onto the podium, surrounding him and escorting him roughly off the stage to a nearby vehicle.

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump said on his Truth Social network hours later, in remarks sure to stoke the political hostility already engulfing the United States.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said.

“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”

He later could be seen walking unaided from his plane, though his wounded ear was not facing the camera, in video footage posted by his deputy communications director.

Possible Trump vice presidential pick J.D. Vance said Biden’s “rhetoric” had “led directly” to the Trump attack.

Trump’s campaign said he would still attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, after he was reported to have had a precautionary hospital checkup.

– Screams and panic –

But the convention will now be dominated by the shooting at the rally, which descended into panic with screams and shouts ringing out after the gunshots.

“Let me get my shoes,” Trump was heard saying on the microphone, as security agents helped him back to his feet.

He turned back to the crowd and repeatedly raised his fist, as well as mouthing words that weren’t immediately discernible, in what instantly became an iconic image.

“We saw a lot of people go down, looking confused. I heard the shots,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.

US political figures including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton lined up to condemn the attack and say there was no place for violence in politics.

Billionaire Elon Musk meanwhile reacted by quickly endorsing Trump.

The United States has a history of political violence, and presidents, former presidents and candidates have tight security.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 while riding in his motorcade, and his brother Bobby Kennedy was shot dead in 1968. President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981.