Former President Donald Trump was injured in what the FBI has classified as an attempted assassination during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening. The incident has intensified concerns about political violence in the deeply polarised U.S. election season.
The rally, held just north of Pittsburgh, was abruptly interrupted when Trump reached for his right ear and ducked behind the lectern after the first of several shots rang out, causing chaos among attendees. A voice yelled, “Get down, get down, get down!” as more shots followed, sending the crowd into panic. Trump, bleeding from his ear, was quickly escorted offstage by Secret Service agents.
The attack resulted in one attendee’s death and left two others critically injured. The FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The assailant, who fired from an elevated position outside the venue, was killed by law enforcement.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the FBI stated.
In a social media post, Trump described his injury: “A bullet pierced the upper part of my right ear… Much bleeding took place.”
Political figures worldwide condemned the attack. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an “inexcusable attack on our shared democratic values,” and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that “political violence is never acceptable.”
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed relief that Trump was reportedly “doing well,” adding, “We cannot allow this to be happening.”