‘I was shot’: Trump’s defiant statement as shooting investigated as assassination attempt

Former US President Donald Trump says he felt a bullet “ripping through the skin” after a suspected assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 US Election was addressing supporters on Sunday morning AEST when several gunshots ran out.

Trump was seen reaching for the right side of his face before falling to the ground. Secret Service agents swarmed him before escorting him off the stage.

With blood running down his cheek, he held a fist to the crowd and said: “Fight”.

Two people were killed, including the suspected gunman and a rally-goer, and two other members of the audience were seriously injured, according to US reports.

In a statement several hours after the shooting, Trump posted a statement to his social media platform Truth Social.

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.

“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 realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Several hours later, Trump sent an email to his supporters, writing: “This is a message from Donald Trump. I will never surrender.”

The email was accompanied by a portrait of Trump and his signature.

More than an hour after the shooting, President Joe Biden issued a statement saying he’d been briefed on the incident and condemned the incident.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” he said.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.

“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Standing up in front of the press a short time later, Biden said he had attempted to get in contact with Trump.

“I have tried to get a hold of Donald who is with his doctors, apparently he’s been doing well, I plan on talking to him shortly I hope,” he said.

The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

It comes amid a deeply polarised political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by US Secret Service agents.

The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the US Secret Service counterassault team.

The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the centre of protection.

- with Associated Press