![Ex-US President Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt During Election Rally](https://thefridaytimes.com/digital_images/large/2024-07-14/ex-us-president-donald-trump-survives-assassination-attempt-during-election-rally-1720943602-8147.png)
Former US president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during an election rally in the US state of Pennsylvania on Saturday. His 20-year-old attacker was quickly gunned down by security at the rally.
The attack elicited shock from his political rival, US President Joe Biden and world leaders.
On Saturday, Trump traveled to the town of Butler in Pennsylvania as part of his election campaign ahead of the November polls.
However, a member of the crowd took aim and fired at the former US president as he took to the stage. Trump was struck in his right ear. He was immediately swarmed by US Secret Service agents, who provide security to current and former US presidents.
A defiant Trump stood up after the attack with a bloodied ear and with some blood smeared across his face as he was led away by his security to safety all the while punching the air. His campaign later said he was 'fine'.
His would-be assassin, later identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was gunned down by security forces at the event.
A bystander was also killed.
Bipartisan condemnation
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and urged Americans to denounce the 'sick' violence.
"There's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick. It's sick. It's one of the reasons why we have to unite this country... We cannot be like this; we cannot condone this," Biden told the media in an emergency briefing from his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware house.
"The idea that there's political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It's just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody must condemn it. Everybody," Biden said.
Political leaders on both sides of the aisle in the US slammed the attack minutes after the Republican candidate was rushed off stage by the Secret Service with blood running down his face.
Former US presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, also condemned the attack in separate messages.
Obama said there was "absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy."
"Although we don't yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn't seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics," he said in a message posted on the microblogging site 'X' (formerly known as Twitter).
Former president George W. Bush, who was part of Trump's Republican party, condemned the "cowardly" attack.
"Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response," the two-term president said in a statement.
"Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today's rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the US Secret Service," disgraced former president Bill Clinton posted on X.
Trump's children, including Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump, also posted messages of support and love.