BUTLER, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage just minutes into his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, after loud noises that sounded like gunshots were heard. Trump is currently safe and is expected to survive, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. He had blood on the side of his head and his ear.
Trump was speaking when he reached for the side of his face as popping sounds rang out over the rally. He then crouched down as Secret Service agents rushed the stage and surrounded him. He was quickly escorted into a vehicle, walking off the stage with agents on all sides.
Reporters on the scene saw smoke and heard what they initially thought were fireworks before everyone ducked and law enforcement encircled Trump.
Screams from the audience rang out as the scene unfolded.
A Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement posted to X that “the former President is safe.”
“This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted.
Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung said that the former president “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” Cheung said. “More details will follow.”
It is unclear if a suspect is in custody.
President Joe Biden, who is in Delaware for the weekend, has been briefed on the situation, according to a senior White House official.
The Biden campaign is aware of the situation and monitoring it, a senior spokesperson tells NBC News.
Politicians began posting to social media that thon X.Politicians began posting to social media that they were praying for Trump in the minutes after the incident unfolded, including vice presidential contenders Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla; and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, condemned the attack in a post on X.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro wrote. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Shapiro added that he has been briefed on the situation and the state police were on the scene, working with federal and local partners.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” said the governor of the state where the rally was taking place. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”
Shapiro added that he has been briefed on the situation and the state police were on the scene, working with federal and local partners.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged Americans to pray for Trump.
“Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,” Kennedy said.
The Republican National Convention, where Trump is set to officially become the GOP presidential nominee, is set to begin on Monday.
This is a breaking new story and will continue to be updated.
Dasha Burns and Jake Traylor are reporting from Butler, Pa.; Megan Lebowitz from Washington, D.C.
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