Former US President Donald Trump has spoken about his assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
He was shot by a shooter on Saturday, in a chaotic and horrifying occurrence that is expected to heighten political tensions ahead of the polarising US presidential election.
Hours later, the Republican candidate claimed he felt the bullet rip through his skin.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” Trump stated on his Truth Social network hours later, escalating the already raging political enmity in 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. 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. The New York Times reported that he was staying the night in New Jersey.
Police stated that the incident killed one spectator and badly injured two others, all of whom were male adults.
The 78-year-old former president was carried off stage with blood splattered over his face following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, which killed the shooter and a bystander and badly injured two onlookers.
Assassination attempt
The FBI announced in a press conference that the gunshot was being investigated as “an assassination attempt against our former President, Donald Trump.”
The shooter, a registered Republican, was thought to be acting alone.
His father, Matthew Crooks, told CNN that he is investigating “what the hell is going on” and will not comment until he speaks with law officials.
Butler police stated that they had “responded to a number of reports of suspicious activity” after multiple witnesses claimed to have seen the gunman prior to the shooting.
Trump was later shown stepping independently from his jet, however his injured ear was not facing the camera in video footage released by his deputy communications director. The New York Times claimed that he was spending the night in New Jersey.
Police stated that the incident killed one spectator and badly injured two others, all of whom were male adults.
The incident sent shockwaves around the world, with leaders from Britain, Israel, China, and many other countries expressing horror.
Biden cut short his weekend getaway to his Delaware beach property to return to Washington. The White House announced that he will receive an updated briefing from security authorities on Sunday morning.
The incident has already heightened political tensions, with some Republicans blaming Biden and right-wing conspiracy theories dominating social media.
J.D. Vance, a potential Trump vice presidential nominee, claimed Biden’s “rhetoric” had “led directly” to the Trump attack.
After reports that Trump had a precautionary hospital exam, his campaign indicated he will still attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.