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LAST UPDATE | 14 Jul 2024
DONALD TRUMP HAS released a new statement this morning in America and has called on Americans to “unite” and not allow “evil to win”.
Several shots were fired towards the former US president before he was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents bleeding from his ear.
Trump’s campaign said the presumptive Republican nominee was doing “fine” after the incident.
Tonight President Joe Biden said that he has ordered an independent review of security measures after the assassination attempt. He will address the nation from the Oval Office and said “we must unite as one nation”.
He has also directed that all resources be made available to the Trump campaign to protect the candidate and also ordered a review of security for the Republican Convention starting tomorrow.
In a statement, the FBI named 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as “the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump”.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online,” the statement added.
The gunman was shot dead at the scene.
Two people were also injured, one of them fatally in the crowd. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro named the dead man as Corey Comperatore. He was a father of two girls and a firefighter.
US media are reporting that bomb making equipment was found in a search of the suspects’ vehicle.
In a statement on his own social media platform, Truth Social, Trump cut a religious tone.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.
“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.
“Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.
“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT,” the post read.
The US Secret Service has confirmed that one person in the crowd was killed and two people were critically injured after an attacker fired “multiple shots”.
They said the shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue” and that the FBI has taken over the investigation.
Speaking during a press conference, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of FBI Pittsburgh field office, said: “This evening, we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
“It’s still an active crime scene. As I mentioned, we have a number of agents on scene. We also are working closely with other federal agencies, our state partners and our local police partners as well.”
Questions have been raised about how the gunman was able to open fire on the stage before he was shot dead. Rojek said “it is surprising” that he was able to fire several shots.
When asked about security, he said the Secret Service “needs to answer that question.”
The Oversight Committee, the main investigative board of the US House of Representatives, has invited Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on 22 July.
In a statement shared on X, the committee said it had also initiated an investigation into the assassination attempt. The statement was accompanied by a letter to Cheatle inviting her to appear, signed by chairman of the House, James Comer.
🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024
Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf
“Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump,” the statement read.
Anthony Guglielmi, the communications chief for the Secret Service, has denied a claim that it refused a request from a member of Trump’s team for additional security resources.
“This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology and capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo,” he wrote on X.
Trump was treated at a local Pennsylvania hospital in the aftermath of the incident. He has since returned to his home in New Jersey.
Writing on his Truth Social platform after the incident, Trump said he 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,” he said.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”
Strong and resilient. He will never stop fighting for America. pic.twitter.com/B9yR3SLQJV
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) July 14, 2024
Trump’s wife Melania has called on US citizens to unite also
“Let us reunite. Now. This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends,” she said.
She described the shooter as a “monster” who recognised her husband as an “inhuman political machine.
Trump’s campaign said he would still attend a planned Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, after he was reported to have had a precautionary hospital checkup.
There has been widespread condemnation of the attack from across the political spectrum.
US President Joe Biden said “everybody must condemn” the incident, adding that he hoped to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.
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The image of Trump, fist in the air, face bloodied, will become a rallying cry for his presidency.
@AnthonyK: it’s like the scene in the film “shooter”.
@9QRixo8H: so if theirs an assassination attempt on a irish politician you don’t like we all know who to start asking questions first…
@William Slevin: you Melties can’t take a joke. It scraped his ear and you are all having a meltdown with your little precious snowy outrage LOL. And nope, violence is never an approach I agree with
Trump is winning the election by a landslide. BIGLY
Just in, he was a Registered REPUBLICAN Voter.
@Mick Hanna: fair play to you first out of traps, if that makes a difference, you clown
@Mick Hanna: So? Trump was once a registered Democrat. The media also have records of the shooter donating to liberal causes. Neither are a reason to attempt to assassinate President Trump and to murder an innocent in the crowd. It says a lot about the Dems are that they are jumping on anything to deflect from the toxic political atmosphere they’ve help create in the past few years.
@Mick Hanna: When Thomas Crooks was 17, he made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for left-leaning and Democratic politicians, according to a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing.
It must be hard to to find size 20 shoes. Clown.
@Richard Keogh: He’s not the President.
@Richard Keogh: He does seem to be quite confused in his political views, but you are right about not wishing even someone like Former President Trump to come to harm, or any innocents.
I’m much heavier leaning to left, but there’s too much grandstanding when there’s much more serious aspects about this.
@Stephen Gaffney: 15 bucks!…… Wow. He’s hardcore!!!…. Plenty of Republicans on X trying to pin this as a democrat plot as opposed to a solo nut job. American politics is a joke. Trump will win for sure now unfortunately. Cult hero status!
@Mick Hanna: He also donated $15 to the Democrats!
@Mick Hanna: That doesn’t mean much to be fair. These people think long term and everything can be manipulated to suit an agenda. How an assassin can enter an event such as that is decided by very powerful individuals. Whatever “side” you’re on, these situation aren’t a net positive.
@Mick Hanna: Who donated to the Dems… try using a part of ur brain and see he was a deranged Lib.
@Mick Hanna: he supported Biden
@Brian Hunt: FAKE NEWS, simp. Show me proof that doesn’t come from the fake MSM
@9QRixo8H: You haven’t been taking your tablets!
@Sean Buckley: no, but all ex USA presidents still Carty the title after they leave office
He invites violence he is to blame
@Anthony Ross: would you say that about other victims of crime? Imagine being in court and saying the victim was to blame that they brought it upon themselves.
@Washpenrebel: Anthony is right. He’s partially responsible as he encourages violence. If Benjamin Netanyahu got shot tomorrow there wouldn’t be many saying he wasn’t looking for it.
@Anthony Ross: “we all just have to forget about it” – DT after an Ohio school shooting on January 6 2024.
@Jessie Pinkman: calling for the death of Pence is just mean words? Calling his supporters to violence on jan 6? Quit being a lefty
@online paid operative D. Peadar: is that all your paid for bigotry can come up with? Pathetic really…
@William Slevin: oh look, the psychopath is back after many months. How were the white jacket rooms?
Did Trump not call for the death of Pence 4 years ago? What goes around comes around!
What’s new about gun violence in America! What about all the school shootings?
Western society in general is in a terminal state of decadence and I doubt it can be reversed. This attempted shooting is an outward reflection of what is boiling underneath. All one has to do is observe the comments on every divisive issue…..there’s no moral compass used to navigate their imput on either “side”.
@Jessie Pinkman: that’s just not gonna happen…
Fianna Gael are very quiet today!
@Alan Kennedy: no harris was out the traps once UK said something
@Shane Cormican: Ah right, did he offer tarts and pears? And there’s no place for gun violence?
At least his suffering wasn’t as bad as those injured when he told his followers to storm the capitol.
@Jessie Pinkman: we have another precious melty SIMP who believes everything the MSM says. #PinkyThePinkSIMP
@online paid operative D. Peadar: your really working over time aren’t you, showing you paid for bigotry…
The media and corporate lot clearly peeved about the impending democratic process.
Left wing tolerance in action.
Shooter was a Democratic donor, with social media posts saying how he hated republicans.
This is a consequence of the hyperbole from the left calling Trump a dictator and the end of democracy.
FAKE NEWS. God the simps believe everything in the MSM
@9QRixo8H: Truth is often a problem for terrorist apologists like you.
@9QRixo8H: you are elated at the thought of anyone you think as far right being murdered…explains why you spew so much hatred against those who are against mass migration in this country…funny you talk about far right hatred…yet theirs only a few proper hateful people on here like you…
The lying treacherous sex offender fraudster orange thing is on tape encouraging his followers to ues violence against hecklers at his rallies, race baiting and encouraging violence against migrants, claiming he could shoot an innocent person and walk free, send his deluded followers to viciously attack Congress on Jan the 6th ,has been found guilty by a jury of his peers of fraud and sexual assault, But to the magrats he is the messiah
@Robert Halvey: sex offender? Do you know something we don’t. He has no convictions of this. Why when it’s Trump people run wild with accusations.
@John John: Punctuation.
The most divisive president in US history who constantly spews hateful, inflammatory rhetoric calls for ermm “unity” after getting shot at. You couldn’t make it up. *rolls eyes*
So many bots commenting. Have to laugh
@Alan Kenny: irish people are bots fair enough
The 2 party billionaire system is the US has destroyed America. The American dream is not coming back. None of these men are fit for office. Too old. Too white too male.
@Mic JHintl: Yes they should look to the utopian nations of Africa.
@Jessie Pinkman: 1.8% but yet they control congress foreign policy via AIPAC
What surprises me is that this didn’t happen sooner. Trump is toxic, American people are toxic. All it takes is some glory seeking nutter to have a go.
Don’t let evil win. Don’t vote for Trump so. There is just no place for this kind of thing in a civilised society but given how flooded the US is with guns I don’t know how this hasn’t happened until now. You’ll end up like Putin and Russia who Trump loves.
If it was a school shooting it’s would be just thoughts and prayers. But someone tried to kill the orange messiah so bow it’s serious
Donald! DUCK!
I wonder how Melania feels?
Right now Trump’s team are telling him to unite the country as it’s his best bet of being reelected, the sympathy and shock factor. Hopefully, he’ll do something batsh*t soon….
@Joanne Healy: he’s picking out new curtains for the white house.
He probably hadn’t done anything wrong until he took aim. Bonkers country.
have your say