Donald Trump Shooting Live Updates: Republicans to vote on presidential nominee, majority to support Trump; FBI probes shooter’s motives

In the aftermath of assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally over the weekend, the US Secret Service on Monday expressed confidence in its security plan for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said, 'I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday's shooting.'  (Reuters)

Two days after a 20-year-old gunman attempted to take the life of Donald Trump, the motive behind the attack remains elusive. The suspect was fatally shot, leaving the FBI without clear ideological motives for his actions against the former president.

The FBI has initiated a thorough investigation into the shooting incident at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was wounded, casting a shadow over his upcoming November 5 election rematch with President Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service, responsible for protecting presidents and former presidents, faced criticism on Monday for failing to detect the gunman. Trump was wounded in the right ear, and tragically, a spectator lost their life during the attack. (Reuters)

Senior advisor to Donald Trump, Dan Scavino  Jr. announced that former President is ready to attend the Republican National Convention, set to kick off Monday in Milwaukee. Trump is slated to accept his party's presidential nomination just days after an assassination attempt on him at a rally in Pennsylvania. During the four-day convention, GOP heavyweights are set to fire up the base, the party's official platform will be finalized and Trump's yet-to-be-named running mate will make an appearance.

Scavino wrote on X, 'For all of us on Team Trump—the past 36 hours has been the most surreal of our lifetime. While we process what took place TOGETHER, we are all more resilient to WIN the 2024 Presidential Election, and send President Donald J. Trump back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. There is no doubt, President Trump was made for this moment. We will never witness someone like him again in our lifetime—He is a courageous leader who will NEVER BACK DOWN while fighting each and every day for YOU, the American people.'

'The time has come to put AMERICA FIRST—and MAKE AMERICA GREAT ONCE AGAIN!'

'On behalf of Team Trump, thank you for your prayers and support for President Trump, his amazing family and all of us who represent or work at Team Trump. We are forever grateful… Let’s get this done!'

Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief tragically killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump, bravely shielded his family from gunfire during Saturday's assassination attempt against the former president. His selfless act, diving in front of his wife and daughter to protect them from the bullets, resonated deeply with close friends and neighbors. They remembered the 50-year-old Trump supporter from Butler County as a man of strong conviction and deep courage. (Read his story here)

US stock index futures surged on Monday, driven by increased odds of presidential candidate Donald Trump securing a second term after surviving an assassination attempt. The anticipation of potential interest rate cuts further buoyed market sentiment.According to the online betting site PredictIT, the chances of a Republican win have jumped to 67 cents, up from 60 cents on Friday, while the odds for a Democratic victory have dropped to 37 cents.The dollar strengthened against major currencies, and Treasury yields inched higher on Monday. Under Trump's leadership, markets are anticipating a hawkish trade policy and looser regulations on issues ranging from climate change to cryptocurrency.Shares of companies associated with the former president soared in premarket trading. Trump Media & Technology Group emerged as one of the most actively traded stocks, soaring 63.5%. Software firm Phunware saw a 49.4% increase, while video-sharing platform Rumble rose by 16.7%.The cryptocurrency sector also experienced a significant boost as bitcoin climbed 8% to a two-week high. Exchange platform Coinbase Global increased by 5.7%, while crypto miners Marathon Digital Holdings and Riot Platforms both saw gains of over 6%.Additionally, stocks of companies expected to benefit from a second Trump term also saw upward movement. Gunmaker Smith & Wesson rose 2.5%, and prison operator GEO Group increased by 7.0%. (Reuters)

Russian president Vladimir Putin has not planned to call former United States president Donald Trump after assassination attempt, Kremlin said, news agency Reuters reported.

Asked if security measures around Putin would now be beefed up, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader enjoyed the appropriate level of protection and that all necessary measures were being taken.

The Kremlin Sunday said that it did not believe the US administration was responsible for Saturday's assassination attempt on Trump, but accused it of creating an atmosphere that provoked the attack. (Reuters)

The attempted assassination of former United States president Donald Trump spawned a frenzy of online merchandise featuring a picture of the US presidential candidate, with slogans such as "Bulletproof", "Legends Never Die", "Grazed but not Dazed", "Shooting Makes Me Stronger," news agency Reuters reported.

With prices ranging anywhere from around $9 to $40, T-shirts emblazoned with images of Trump pumping his clenched fist in the air while blood streaks across his face have gone viral, the report stated.

Businesses and independent sellers scrambled, within hours of the shooting, to create slogans and merchandise - mostly depicting the Republican presidential candidate as defiant. (Reuters)

King Charles III has written to former United States president Donald Trump after the assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, Buckingham Palace said, news agency AP reported.

The palace did not disclose the contents of the monarch’s private message, which was delivered on Sunday through the British Embassy in Washington, DC. (AP)

Bitcoin surged to a two-week high on Monday after the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump raised the odds of the former president, who has presented himself as a champion of cryptocurrency, winning the upcoming election, news agency Reuters reported.

Bitcoin rose 8.6 per cent to $62,508, touching a two-week high of $62,698 earlier in the session, taking its year-to-date gains to 47 per cent, according to the report.

Ether was also up 6.8 per cent at $3,322. (Reuters)

The shock at the attempt to assassinate former United States president Donald Trump is driving markets this Monday.

For traders, their initial reaction has been to buy the US dollar and bitcoin and sell longer term US Treasuries - the so-called Trump-victory trades - as the incident excites his chances of winning back the White House, news agency Reuters reported.

Futures for 10-year Treasuries slipped, pointing to higher yields. Investors have tended to react to the prospect of a Trump win by pushing Treasury yields higher, in part on the assumption his economic policies would add to inflation and debt. (Reuters)

Former United States president Donald Trump underwent a precautionary CT scan after he was shot in his right upper ear during a campaign rally and the scan came back clear, news agency PTI quoted a media report on Monday.

It's unclear whether he had other tests performed, CNN reported.

Though Trump received minor injuries, it was a close shave as some photographs have appeared to show the streak of a bullet cutting through the air near the former president's head. (PTI)

Nearly 2,500 delegates are gathering in Milwaukee this week for a roll call vote to select the Republican presidential nominee, with a vast majority of them bound to support former US president Donald Trump. 

Trump had clinched a majority of convention delegates on March 12, but he doesn’t officially become the party’s standard-bearer until after the roll call.

However, due to state party rules, at least a handful are slated to go to former candidate Nikki Haley, even after she released her delegates.

The shooting that targeted former United States president Donald Trump on Saturday during an election rally in Pennsylvania have raised his odds of winning back the White House and betting on his victory will increase, according to investors, quoted by news agency Reuters. 

Immigration and the economy are the main issues for voters who, according to Reuters/Ipsos polls, view Trump as the better candidate for the economy, even as Biden seeks to benefit from solid growth, slowing inflation and low unemployment.

Under Trump, markets expect a hawkish trade policy and looser regulation over issues, including climate change to cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is up roughly 7% since the shooting took place on Saturday. Investors have also expected an extension of corporate and personal tax cuts, fuelling concerns about rising budget deficits.

"If (Trump) wins and does this stuff he said he is going to do, you are going to see a much bigger selloff in the back-end of the bond market,” Michael Purves, CEO of Tallbacken Capital Advisors said. “I think the bond market is the big (election) trade this year, rather than equities," he added. (Reuters)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Sunday said a 20-year-old Pennsylvanian man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot at former United States president Donald Trump during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

A resident of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks was a registered Republican who would have been eligible to cast his first presidential vote in the presidential elections scheduled to be held on November 5 this year.

He had graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 with a reputation of a bright, and quiet classmate, news agency Reuters reported. Read more about the shooter here.

The Republican National Convention began in Milwaukee on Monday under an unprecedented security cover in the aftermath of an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Trump is set to formally accept his nomination and deliver an acceptance speech on July 18. Over 2,400 elected delegates will likely be gathering in Milwaukee, declaring their support for Trump.

What arrangements have been made for Trump's security?

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed at the venue, whereas areas in and around the venue and the hotels where delegates will reside, have been cordoned off, according to news agency PTI.

According to the organisers, over 50,000 delegates, officials, guests, and members of the media from all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia have descended on Milwaukee.

Moreover, California has deployed 61 law enforcement officers to Wisconsin through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) in support of local, state and federal law enforcement partners at the Convention.

The Secret Service also told reporters that they are not anticipating any changes to their operational security plans for this event.

Secret Service's RNC coordinator, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino said security planning has been underway for 18 months. It has already been designated the highest level of security event. (PTI)

In an appeal to the people of America, United States president Joe Biden called for unity, a day after former US president and political rival Donald Trump was shot at during an election rally in Pennsylvania.

“Let's remember here in America, all unity is the most elusive of gold goals right now. Nothing is more important for us now. And standing together. We can do this," he said.

"We must be an American democracy. where arguments are made in good faith.... where the rule of law is respected and where decency, dignity and fair play aren't just quaint notions but living breathing realities," Biden added.

Biden added: “We owe that to those who come before us, those who gave their life in this country and we owe that to ourselves…… Let's remember we are the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity. When we do it. Together." (PTI) 

United States president Joe Biden, in an address at White House Oval Office on Sunday urged citizens to stand and support an America, built on the principles of decency and grace, and not of extremism and fury.

“It's part of human nature that politics must never be a little battlefield, or God forbid, a killing field. I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate, to pursue justice and to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence in our constitution,” he said.

“We stand for an America not of extremism of fury, but of decency and grace. All of us now face atomic testing as the election approaches. The higher the stakes, the more fervent the passions become. This place is an added burden on each of us to ensure that no matter how strong our conviction was never descending into violence," he added. (PTI)

United States president Joe Biden, in an address at White House Oval Office on Sunday, said, “I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics and to remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies we are neighbours, friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans.”

Calling for national unity, he said, “We must stand together”.

Referring to the shooting on former US president Donald Trump, he said that the motive of the shooter is not known yet. “We don't know his opinions or affiliations. We don't know whether he had help or support or if he communicated with anyone else. Law enforcement professionals, as I speak, are investigating those questions," he said.

“A former president was shot and an American citizen killed for simply exercising his freedom to support the candidate of his choosing. We cannot… we must not go down this road in America. We've travelled before throughout our history. Violence has never been the answer,” he added. (PTI)

United States president Joe Biden, in an address at White House Oval Office on Sunday asked Americans to lower the political temperature and remember they are neighbors, after former US president and political rival Donald Trump was shot at during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, news agency Reuters reported.

“We can't allow this violence to be normalized. The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It's time to cool it down," he said. "We all have a responsibility to do this," Biden said. “In America we resolve our differences at the ballot box. Now that's how we do it. At the ballot box. Not with bullets," he added.

In his address to the United States, President Joe Biden talked about the vision of Founding Fathers of a democracy in respect to the assassination attempt on former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

President Biden said that the Founding Fathers understood the power of passion and hence, created a democracy which could give reason and balance more shine rather than brute force.

Biden said, “That’s the America we must be, an American democracy where arguments are made in good faith, an American democracy where the rule of law is respected. An American democracy where decency, dignity, fair play aren’t just quiet notions, but living breathing realities.”

Former President Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention (RNC) as per the schedule. Trump, who survived an assassination attempt on Saturday in a rally in Pennsylvania, is slated to select his running mate for the White House in the upcoming November elections in the RNC which is bound to start on Monday.

Donald Trump reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin as his plane touched down the runway of the airport, a video posted by his son Eric Trump showed. In the video posted on X, Eric wrote, “Touchdown in Milwaukee with Donald Trump.”

Touchdown in Milwaukee with @realdonaldtrump #TrumpForce1 pic.twitter.com/vkO5ZUPXG6

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) July 14, 2024

After former President Donald Trump miraculously survived the assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a lot of conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated claims are being spread over social media about the attack and attacker.

A disinformation campaign and unverified claims have started over multiple social media platforms, including Gab, Truth Social, Parler, X, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. The officials would require time to investigate the truth behind the attack but the theories are already floating in the market.

Read more about it

In the deadly firing incident at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, apart from former President Donald Trump who survived it but got injured, three more people suffered injuries including one who passed away. The Pennsylvania police have now revealed the identities of the victim and injured respectively.

The person who passed away was 50 years old, identified as Corey Comperatore from Sarver, Pennsylvania. The two injured, who are stable and in hospital, include 57 year old David Dutch of New Kensington and James Copenhaver of Moon Township. 

Police revealed the details in a detailed press release. “These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner.

After surviving a deadly assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump didn’t change his schedule for the week and will be going to the state of Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention (RNC). Video footage of his arrival at the airport to board the plane has been posted by his advisor Dan Scavino Jr. on X.

Dan posted the comment of Trump who felt grateful for all the prayers, support and well wishes. In the video which was posted on X, though Trump couldn’t be seen, it was understood that he would board the flight for Wisconsin.

President Trump is on his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the @GOPConvention! He is so grateful for all of your prayers, support, and well wishes out there.

As he said this morning, “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character… pic.twitter.com/twKKol2vPp

— Dan Scavino Jr.??? (@DanScavino) July 14, 2024

In a deadly attack in the rally of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a man passed away while he was saving his family from the firing. Donald Trump got injured in the attack but escaped the assassination attempt.

President Biden, while offering condolences on X wrote, “Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed at Donald Trump's rally – he was a father protecting his family from the bullets being fired.”

Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed at Donald Trump's rally – he was a father protecting his family from the bullets being fired.

We're also praying for the full recovery of those who were injured.

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 14, 2024

After the former President Donald Trump announced that he would be attending the Republican National Convention (RNC) without any change in schedule in Wisconsin, the US Secret Service said that they weren’t anticipating any change in their current plan.

The Secret Service further said that they are confident about their strategy toward the security at the RNC and that they are fully prepared. Earlier, Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt while he was rallying in Pennsylvania; the shooter was neutralised by the security officials.

After former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, the details of the horrific incident are pouring in and now, as per some FBI officials, the rifle used in the shooting by suspect Thomas Crooks was legally purchased. Crooks’ father purchased it though it wasn’t clear until now whether the weapon was given to Crooks or he took it without his father’s permission, reported the BBC.

The BBC further quoted the FBI officials and said that according to investigations until now, the suspect Thomas Crooks wasn't suffering from any mental health condition though it was too early in the case.

After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt in a rally in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump has said that he is not rescheduling his election rallies and Republican National Convention schedule. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump informed that he would be travelling to Milwaukee and is not ready to bow down due to an assaination attempt on him.

He had planned to delay his trip by two days to Wisconsin but instead he is sticking to the plan and would leave for the state at around 2 am IST.

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a “shooter,” or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else.”

US President Joe Biden addressed the country on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and said that violence of any kind is unacceptable and that the assassination attempt is contrary to everything the nation stands for.

President Biden further ordered a review into the events unfolding at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally and said that he would share the results of the investigation with the American people. “I've directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures," Biden said.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received updates in a Situation Room briefing in the White House reportedly about the former President and presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump’s assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. They were updated by the homeland security and law enforcement officials

The White House posted a picture of the briefing on X, and wrote, “This morning, President Biden and Vice President Harris received an updated briefing in the White House Situation Room from homeland security and law enforcement officials.”

This morning, President Biden and Vice President Harris received an updated briefing in the White House Situation Room from homeland security and law enforcement officials. pic.twitter.com/TiEpc94DHM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 14, 2024

Explosive devices, bomb making material have been found at the suspect’s home as per multiple reports. News agency the Associated Press quoted two law enforcement officers on condition of anonymity, who revealed about the development.

Police have cordoned off a wide vicinity around the gunman Thomas Crooks home, who was a resident of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania.

Social media platform Discord identified an account which appeared to be linked to the suspect who shot at former US president Donald Trump, news agency Reuters quoted a spokesperson for the company as saying. The statement said the account was "rarely utilised", adding that the company had not found any evidence showing that the account was used to plan the shooting incident or discuss the suspect's political views.

In her first statement after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, his wife Melania said that the shooter had viewed the former US President as a political machine. 'A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion,' new agency Reuters quoted Melania as saying. 

After an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley on Sunday said that the authorities were working to ensure security at the party's convention in Milwaukee this week, news agency Reuters quoted him as saying in an interview with 'Fox News Sunday'.

"We feel very comfortable that we're working with the Secret Service, we're working with 40 different law enforcement agencies in terms of what that security is going to look like," Whatley said.

After the assassination attempt on presidential candidate Donald Trump, Repuplican Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said that the political rhetoric in the country was very heated in recent times and needed to be dialed down, news agency Reuters reported. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, news agency Reuters reported.

After Russia released its first statement on the shooting of US presidential candidate Donald Trump, state-owned news agency TASS reported that President Vladimir Putin does not plan on calling the former US president. In the statement released Sunday, the Kremlin had said that it does not believe that the current US administration had orchestrated the attack on Trump, while adding that it had created an atmosphere which had provoked the attack.

In its first official statement after the shooting on presidential candidate Donald Trump, the Kremlin said that it does not believe that the assassination attempt was organised by the current US adminsitration, Reuters reported. However, Russia said that the atmosphere created by the administration around the former US President had provoked the attack on him.

The Kremlin, in a statement released Sunday, said that it strongly condemned violence in political struggle, after former US President Donald Trump was shot at in an election rally in Pennsylvania, news agency Reuters reported. The Kremlin also expressed its condolences for the victims in the shooting, Russian news agency RIA reported.

An Italian sports journalist threatened legal action on Sunday after being falsely identified as the suspected shooter who carried out the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump, news agency Reuters reported. "Per the Butler Police Department the Trump shooter has been arrested at the scene and has been identified as Mark Violets, an Antifa member," a viral message doing the rounds on social media said. The text had the photo of the journalist, Marco Violi, who is the editor of romagiallorossa.it, a fan website for the Italian soccer club AS Roma.

"I categorically deny that I am involved in this situation," Violi posted on his Instagram story, as per the Reuters report. While blaming two Italian X users for the misinformation, Violi said that he would report them to the police on Monday.

Condemning the attack on former US President Donald Trump, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that "political violence had no place" in democracies. "Political violence has no place in our democracies. #NATO Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values," he posted on X. While expressing his shock at the shooting, he wished Trump a speedy recovery, adding that his thoughts were with those affected.

I am shocked by the attempted assassination on former President Trump. I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies. #NATO Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values.

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 14, 2024

Republican House Oversight Committee Sunday summoned the Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, to testify at a hearing on July 22.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Committee posted, "Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump."

?BREAKING?@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.

Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf

— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024

Who shot at former United States president Donald Trump during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?

The FBI has named Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, as the gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The attack resulted in the tragic death of one spectator and critical injuries to two others, one of whom has since passed away.

Crooks, who did not have a prior criminal record, was found with an AR-15-type rifle near the rally venue. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities yet to determine a motive for the shooting.

Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and Tron founder Justin Sun endorsed Donald Trump in the US presidential race, he said on his social media platform X on Sunday.

"He is a better choice for the crypto industry and can ensure fairer treatment," he said, hours after Trump was shot in his right ear during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. 

As the election approaches, I fully endorse President Trump ?? and hope for his speedy recovery. He is a better choice for the crypto industry and can ensure fairer treatment. I am proud that many who care about America's future use @OfficialDLive to express their concerns. pic.twitter.com/vM8XIISd21

— H.E. Justin Sun ??? (@justinsuntron) July 14, 2024

A 20-year-old man, suspected of shooting at former US president Donald Trump, was shot dead on Saturday, Secret Service said in a statement. Later in the day, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified him as a Pennsylvanian man.

Who was the shooter?

The shooter has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania by the FBI. Crooks was a registered Republican, according to the state's voter records accessed by Reuters.

The police added they have not yet identified the official motive.

Read more here.

Germany's Foreign Minister Sunday posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the shooting of Donald Trump at an election rally on Saturday indicated "dark hours" for American democracy and said violence should not be a means of political conflict.

"In democracies, elections are decided by ballot papers and not by weapons. In these dark hours for American democracy, my thoughts are with the victims of the attack. I wish Donald Trump and the other injured a speedy recovery," Annalena Baerbock's post read.

Die Nachricht von dem Attentat auf Donald Trump hat mich zutiefst schockiert.

Gewalt darf niemals zum Mittel der politischen Auseinandersetzung werden - ganz egal aus welchem Grund. Wahlen werden in Demokratien mit dem Stimmzettel entschieden und nicht mit Waffen. 1/2

— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) July 14, 2024

Following the concerning incident involving former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, leaders worldwide have voiced their condemnation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed serious concern, emphasizing that violence has no place in politics.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the violence, with Biden expressing relief that Trump is safe.

Security lapses were being probed after shots were being fired at former United States president Donald Trump during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

China has expressed concern about the shooting of former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

"President Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to former President Trump," the statement said. (Reuters)

Leaders from across the globe Saturday condemned the attack on former United States president Donald Trump during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

? A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the shooting and called it an "act of political violence."

? Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, said: "We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy."

? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled by the shocking scenes" at the election rally. "Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack," he said.

? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there was "no justification" for such violence and he was "relieved" that Trump was safe and wished him "a speedy recovery."

? Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shooting was "concerning and confronting," while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it left him "sickened." Trudeau added: "Political violence is never acceptable."

? "It is a tragedy for our democracies," French President Emmanuel Macron said of the shooting. "France shares the shock and indignation of the American people."

? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the shooting left him shocked. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met Trump this week while visiting the U.S. for a NATO summit, said his prayers were with the former president "in these dark hours."

? Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the shooting unacceptable while also urging others to condemn it.

? "The attack against former President Donald Trump must be vehemently repudiated by all defenders of democracy and dialogue in politics. What we saw today is unacceptable," the Brazilian leader said.

- With inputs from Reuters

Germany's Olaf Scholz on Sunday referred to the shooting of Donald Trump at a campaign rally on Saturday a despicable act, describing the violent attack as a threat to democracy.

In a post on X, Scholz said: "The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts are also with the people who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."

Der Anschlag auf US-Präsidentschaftsbewerber Donald Trump ist verabscheuungswürdig. Ich wünsche ihm eine schnelle Genesung. Meine Gedanken sind auch bei den Personen, die bei dem Attentat in Mitleidenschaft gezogen wurden. Solche Gewalttaten bedrohen die Demokratie.

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 14, 2024

In the moments after former United States president Donald Trump was injured, he was quickly surrounded by Secret Service personnel who formed a human shield, while heavily armed agents in body armor and toting rifles also took to the stage and appeared to scan the area for threats, news agency Reuters reported.

A former Secret Service agent told news agency Reuters that security agents would have surveyed all the rooftops with a line of sight ahead of time. "This person either concealed themselves until they became a threat, or were not a threat until they revealed their weapons," the agents said.

Trump was whisked by the agents to a black SUV, and taken to a local hospital, according to the campaign. (Reuters)

As former United States president Donald Trump was shot at during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, we take a look at how his rallies are secured:

During most of Trump's campaign rallies, local police aid the Secret Service in securing the venue, a Reuters report stated. The report also highlighted that agents from other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, such as the Transportation Security Administration, occasionally help secure the venue.

Before the event, agents scan the venue for bombs or other threats, and Trump invariably arrives in a fortified motorcade.

Law enforcement officials typically put up barriers as a perimeter, and require all attendees to go through a metal detector to enter the venue. Armed protective agents search all attendees' bags and even wallets. Many rallygoers are patted down by hand, Reuters report said. (Reuters)

The attack on former United States president Donald Trump on Saturday during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, will certainly lead to a review of the leader's security, and he will likely be provided with a level of protection more akin to a sitting president, said Joseph LaSorsa, a former Secret Service agent, news agency Reuters reported.

"There will be an intensive review" of the incident and "there's going to be a massive realignment," LaSorsa said. "This cannot happen."

The Secret Service had said it recently added "protective resources and capabilities" to Trump's security detail. (Reuters)

Republican lawmakers have said that they would launch swift investigations into how a person managed to evade Secret Service agents and climb onto the roof of a building near where former US President Donald Trump was speaking at an election rally and fire multiple shots before being killed, news agency Reuters reported.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said that panels will call officials from the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI for hearings soon, according to the report.

The House oversight panel has called Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify on July 22.

Moreover, FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek, speaking at a press briefing earlier today, called the number of shots the attacker was able to fire "surprising." (Reuters)

Former US President and this year’s Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, had just begun speaking, when four shots were fired, one of which pierced Trump’s right ear.

(Photos: Reuters/AP)

Former US President and this year’s Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, had just begun speaking, when four shots were fired, one of which pierced Trump’s right ear.

He soon grabbed his bleeding ear just before dropping to his knees behind the podium, where he was delivering his speech at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday.

While this barrage of gunfire set off panic, Trump pumped his fist in a show of defiance as he apparently yelled "fight, fight, fight" before agents ushered him into his vehicle. Read here.

?DEVELOPNG: Donald Trump just survived an assassination atempt.

PRAY! pic.twitter.com/5ZUDUrfinV

— Donald J. Trump ?? News (@DonaldTNews) July 13, 2024

JUST IN: New footage shows sn*per appearing to notice the suspect just milliseconds before the man sh*t at Trump.

The sn*per could be seen looking up in what appeared to be shock the moment the first bullet rang out.

The suspect, who was on top of a structure, was then quickly… pic.twitter.com/zsKnu3zP5m

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 14, 2024