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On July 13, 2024, former president of the United States Donald Trump was shot and wounded while at a campaign rally, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement and witnesses stated that the suspected shooter fired from a roof outside the rally venue using an AR-15–style semi-automatic rifle, before being killed by the Secret Service counter-assault team.

After being shot in the upper right ear, Trump was quickly surrounded by Secret Service agents; he pumped his fist in the air multiple times before being rushed to a vehicle. He was then sent to the hospital and released in stable condition, departing by plane to New Jersey. Federal and local officials reported that the suspected shooter and a rally attendee were killed, while two attendees were critically injured.

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination. It was the first time a former or current U.S. president or presidential candidate was injured in an attempted assassination since then-incumbent president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

Background

Former president Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election.

According to The New York Times, a nationwide poll of political violence conducted by political scientist Robert Pape revealed that "10 percent of those surveyed said that the 'use of force is justified to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.'" A third of those who gave that answer also said they owned a gun. Seven percent of respondents also said "said the use of force was justified to return Mr. Trump to the presidency," half of whom owned a gun.

Trump's rallies are screened for prohibited items, including weapons. On July 12, 2024, it was announced that Trump would hold a rally at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania on the 13th. Butler County Republican Committee chairman James E. Hulings estimated 50,000 people were at the rally. It was held as part of Trump's presidential campaign for the election in order to raise votes in the swing state of Pennsylvania. The shooting occurred two days before the scheduled start of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Shooting

Trump was shot at approximately 6:11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time during his campaign rally in Butler. Six minutes into his speech, a sniper fired multiple shots from an AR-15 style rifle into the rally. According to Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger, authorities have yet to determine the shooter's identity, but he was identified as a "20-year-old Pennsylvania man" by The Washington Post. The suspected shooter did not undergo security screening, as he was outside the security perimeter of the rally; he had climbed onto the roof of a shed, 200 to 400 feet (61 to 122 m) north of Trump. He was killed by a United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team sniper soon after the shooting.

Trump was hit by either a bullet or shrapnel, and ducked. Trump later stated on Truth Social that he "was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of right ear." Secret Service agents lunged toward Trump and shielded him. After around 25 seconds on the ground, he rose with blood on his ear and face, raised his fist and pumped it at the crowd. He was then escorted to a vehicle. Three rally-goers were hit, leaving one person dead and two critically injured, all adult males. One of the injured was in the left-hand bleachers at the venue. U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson later told Fox News that his nephew was shot in the neck.

Aftermath

Trump was transported to Butler Memorial Hospital for examination. His motorcade left the hospital at around 9:30 p.m. EST bound for Pittsburgh International Airport. A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that "an incident occurred" and affirmed that Trump was safe. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung also affirmed that Trump was fine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation with the Department of Justice, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt. It is the first time a current or former U.S. president or presidential candidate has been shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.

After the shooting, Trump made a statement on Truth Social where he thanked law enforcement and secret service and offered his condolences to the families of the person killed and the injured person. Recounting the events he said "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."

Security at Trump Tower was increased by the New York City Police Department.

Investigation

The alleged shooter's body was discovered on the rooftop. According to Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger, authorities have yet to determine his identity. The suspect was not carrying an ID. Federal investigators have tentatively identified him as a 20-year-old white male from Pennsylvania. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice National Security Division have opened investigations into the shooting.

Effects on Trump's public image

An image of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist in the air taken by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press was spread on social media shortly afterwards. The photo observed subsequent, widespread usage in posts by his most prominent allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Politico said some used it as "an opportunity to tout conspiracy theories and stoke political tensions." Benjamin Wallace-Wells of The New Yorker said that "It is already the indelible image of our era of political crisis and conflict." He analyzed that "some of the elements in Vucci's image are familiar from the countless others of Trump" and concluded that "It is an image that captures him as he would like to be seen, so perfectly, in fact, that it may outlast all the rest." Business Insider echoed those sentiments, assessing that it had " the most iconic image of his reelection among Republicans."

Responses

Domestic

Federal officials

After the shooting, United States President Joe Biden issued a statement labelling the violence as "sick... We cannot be like this... Everybody must condemn it," while separately stating that he was grateful to hear that Trump was safe.

Biden spoke with Trump in the evening.

State officials

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer denounced political violence. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, stated he and his wife were praying for Trump.

Others

Former President George W. Bush called the shooting "cowardly" and applauded the Secret Service for their response. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack and wished Trump a swift recovery.

Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia called for a Republican prosecutor to charge President Joe Biden "for inciting an assassination," with Collins publicly accusing Biden of having "sent the orders," citing a quote by Biden to political donors earlier that week as reported by Politico: "we're done talking about the debate, it's time to put Trump in a bullseye." Republican Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio blamed the Biden presidential campaign's political rhetoric, while Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina blamed messaging by "the radical Left and corporate media."

International

Many political leaders including Justin Trudeau of Canada and Javier Milei of Argentina condemned the shooting.

See also

• 2016 Donald Trump Las Vegas rally incident
• Security incidents involving Donald Trump
• List of United States presidential assassination attempts and plots

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