Donald Trump's five defiant words to bodyguards after surviving assassination attempt
Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania, and in the chaos of the assassination attempt, the former President was heard saying five unexpected words.
President Donald Trump uttered five unexpected words following his close call with death at a Pennsylvania rally.
Trump was mid-speech when an assassin's bullet grazed his ear. The sound of the shot sent the crowd into a frenzy as Trump instinctively touched his face and ducked, before Secret Service agents rushed to his side with visible blood on his ear.
"Let me get my shoes," Trump was heard saying, picked up by a microphone in the ensuing chaos.
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The 78-year-old president was quickly escorted from the venue while police neutralized the threat, fatally shooting 20-year-old suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks on a nearby rooftop.
After being treated at a hospital, Trump was released and returned to New Jersey that evening. He later addressed his followers on Truth social media, providing an update on his condition, reports the Mirror US.
In a heartfelt statement, Trump conveyed his thanks and grief: "I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured."
World leaders lined up to condemn the assassination attempt. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the "inexcusable attack" on the United States and Australia's shared democratic values.
"In Australia, as in the United States, the essence and the purpose of our democracies is that we can express our views, debate our disagreements and resolve our differences peacefully," Albanese told reporters in the Australian Parliament House.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on X that he was appalled by the attempt. "Political violence has no place in our society!" he said.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the incident unacceptable on X and said the attack must be "strongly repudiated" by all democracy defenders.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was sickened by the shooting and his thoughts were with Trump, those at the event and all Americans. "It cannot be overstated - political violence is never acceptable," he wrote on X.
Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China is concerned about the attack and President Xi Jinping has already extended his sympathies to Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron sent his wishes to Trump for a prompt recovery. "It is a drama for our democracies. France shares the indignation of the American people," he posted on X.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X saying the attack was "despicable" and such violent acts threaten democracy. "My compassionate thoughts are also with the other people who were hurt in the attack," he said.
