- Donald Trump was kicked off the stage after an incident at his campaign rally on Saturday.
- Dramatic photos show Trump with blood on his face.
- Trump pumped his fist in the air as Secret Service agents chased him away.
Former President Donald Trump was quickly escorted off stage at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night after a series of loud sounds were heard.
Secret Service agents were captured in photos rushing to help Trump, with blood splatter seen on his face, particularly around his ear, as he was kicked off the stage while pumping his fist.
A Trump spokesman expressed gratitude to law enforcement and first responders for their prompt response to the emergency.
The Secret Service confirmed that the former president is now safe and is currently undergoing medical evaluation at a nearby facility. Further updates will be provided soon.
Reporters on the scene said there was a succession of loud noises before the Secret Service intervened.
This is an active crime scene,” Secret Service officials told reporters, ordering them out of the area.
“We saw a lot of people down, looking confused. I heard shots, it sounded like firecrackers and a small-caliber gun,” said John Yeykal of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally .
Washington Post reporter Meryl Kornfield reported earlier that Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people were dead, including an apparent shooter.
The DA did not immediately return a call and email from Business Insider.
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials said was later 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 in a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential election and days before Trump is officially nominated as the Republican nominee at his party's convention.
Addressing the nation about two hours after the shooting, President Joe Biden said he was relieved Trump said he was “doing well.” He said he had not been able to reach Trump before his remarks and promised to update the public later Saturday on whether they will speak and additional details about the investigation.
“We cannot allow this to happen,” Biden said. “The idea that there is violence in America like this is just hearsay.”
Biden, speaking without a teleprompter, said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an assassination attempt on the former president.
“I have an opinion, but I don't have facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
POLICY VIOLENCE AGAIN AMERICA ROCKS
The dangers of the campaign took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972, when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously wounded George Wallace, who was serving as independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been. compared to Trump. That led to increased protection of candidates, even when threats persisted, especially against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.
Presidents, especially after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even more layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate.
Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I got you, sir.”
Trump rose to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand towards his face. There appeared to be blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and mouthed the word “Fight” twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”
Watch the video below;
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