Donald Trump pictured with bandaged ear after assassination attempt at Pennsylvania rally

Donald Trump has been pictured with a bandage on his ear after being shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

The Republican presidential candidate, 78, was seen walking off a private jet in New Jersey hours after the assassination attempt.

Trump was quickly surrounded by Secret Service following the shooting and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance.

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His campaign team said he is “fine” after the shooting and that a bullet pierced the upper part of his 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,” Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social.

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In another post on Sunday morning, he added that “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

“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,” his post said.

The shooter has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

New details are emerging about Crooks, who used an AR-style rifle and had explosives in his car.

The FBI is working to establish how he obtained the gun and a possible motive.

Police have set up a blockade near his house, located in an enclave in the hills of blue-collar Pittsburgh.

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His political leanings are unclear as records show he was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania but campaign finance reports show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on January 20, 2021 - the day President Joe Biden was sworn in to office.

He does not have a criminal record, according to Pennsylvania court records.

Trump had been showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when the gunfire began at around 6.10pm.

As the first pop rang out, Trump said “Oh” and raised his hand to his right ear and looked at it, before quickly crouching to the ground behind his lectern. The people in the stands behind him also crouched as screams rang through the crowd.

Someone could be heard near the microphone saying, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents rushed to the stage. They piled atop the former president to shield him with their bodies as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.

Afterward, voices were heard saying, “Shooter’s down” several times, before someone asked, “Are we good to move?” and “Are we clear?” Then someone ordered, “Let’s move.”

Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you, sir.”

Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face, which was streaked with blood. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “fight” twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”

His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he was put into a vehicle.