# 2024 shooting at a Donald Trump rally

On July 13, 2024, former president of the United States Donald Trump was shot in the right ear at a campaign rally in Meridian, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement and witnesses stated that the suspected shooter fired from a roof outside the rally venue using an AR-15–style rifle, before being killed by the Secret Service counter-assault team.
Trump was quickly surrounded by Secret Service agents; he pumped his fist in the air multiple times before being rushed to a vehicle. He was then sent to the hospital in stable condition. Federal and local officials reported that the suspected shooter and a rally attendee were killed, while two attendees were critically injured.
The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination. It was the first time a former or current U.S. president or presidential candidate was injured in an attempted assassination since then-incumbent president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

## Background

Former president Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election.
According to The New York Times, a nationwide poll of political violence conducted by political scientist Robert Pape revealed that "10 percent of those surveyed said that the 'use of force is justified to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.'" A third of those who gave that answer also said they owned a gun. Seven percent of respondents also said "the use of force was justified to return Trump to the presidency."
Trump's rallies are screened for prohibited items, including weapons. Butler County Republican Committee chairman James E. Hulings estimated 50,000 people were at the rally. It was held as part of Trump's presidential campaign for the election in order to raise votes in the swing state of Pennsylvania. The shooting occurred two days before the scheduled start of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

## Shooting

At approximately 6:11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, a shooter fired multiple shots from an AR-15 style rifle at a Donald Trump rally at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Meridian, Pennsylvania, six minutes into Trump's speech. At least three rallygoers were hit, leaving one person dead and two in critical condition. Blood was visible in the left-hand bleachers at the venue. The shooter did not undergo security screening as he was outside the security perimeter of the rally; he had climbed onto the roof of a shed, 200 to 400 feet (61 to 122 m) north of Trump. He was killed by a United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team sniper soon after the shooting. The shooter's body was discovered on the rooftop.
Trump was hit by either a bullet or shrapnel. Secret Service agents lunged toward Trump and shielded him. After around 25 seconds on the ground, he stood up, and, with blood on his ear and face, raised and pumped his fist at the crowd. He was then escorted to a vehicle. Trump later stated on Truth Social that he "was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of [his] right ear".
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) told Fox News that his nephew was shot in the neck. According to Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger, authorities have yet to determine the shooter's identity.

## Aftermath

Trump was transported to Butler Memorial Hospital for examination. The presidential motorcade was observed leaving the hospital at around 9:30 PM EST bound for Pittsburgh International Airport. A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that "an incident occurred" and affirmed that Trump was "safe". Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung also affirmed that Trump was "fine".
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation with the Department of Justice, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt. It is the first time a current or former U.S. president or presidential candidate has been shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.
After the shooting, Trump made a statement on Truth Social where he thanked law enforcement and secret service and offered his condolences to the families of the person killed and the injured person. Recounting the events he said "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
Security at Trump Tower was increased by the New York City Police Department.

### Investigation

Federal investigators have tentatively identified the perpetrator as a 20-year old white male from Pennsylvania. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice National Security Division have opened investigations into the shooting.

### Effects on Trump's public image

An image of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist in the air taken by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press was spread on social media shortly afterwards. Politico called it "an opportunity to tout conspiracy theories and stoke political tensions" by many, and observed subsequent, widespread usage in posts by his most prominent allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Benjamin Wallace-Wells of The New Yorker said that "It is already the indelible image of our era of political crisis and conflict." He analyzed that "some of the elements in Vucci's image are familiar from the countless others of Trump" and concluded that "It is an image that captures him as he would like to be seen, so perfectly, in fact, that it may outlast all the rest."

## Responses
### Domestic
#### Federal officials

After the shooting, United States President Joe Biden issued a speech labelling the violence as "sick... We cannot be like this... Everybody must condemn it", while separately stating that he was grateful to hear that Trump was safe. Biden spoke with Trump later that evening.

#### State officials

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer denounced political violence. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, stated he and his wife were praying for Trump.

#### Others

Former President George W. Bush called the shooting "cowardly" and applauded the Secret Service for their response. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack and wished Trump a swift recovery.
Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia called for a Republican prosecutor to charge President Joe Biden "for inciting an assassination", with Collins publicly accusing Biden of having "sent the orders", citing a quote by Biden to political donors earlier that week as reported by Politico: "we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye." Republican Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio blamed the Biden presidential campaign's political rhetoric, while Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina blamed messaging by "the radical Left and corporate media".

### International

Many world leaders such as Justin Trudeau of Canada and Javier Milei of Argentina condemned the shooting.