Trump calls unity, Melania labels shooter ‘a monster’

Former US president Donald Trump has called for the nation to stand united after he was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt while he spoke at a political rally in Pennsylvania.

He was whisked off stage on Saturday evening (Sunday morning AEST) bloodied and shuffled into a security car by Secret Service and filmed leaving his private jet in New Jersey several hours later.

FBI agents took out the shooter, who’s been named as a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, but questions remain about how he was able to get so close. One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said.

In his second post to Truth Social since the shooting, Trump said “God alone” had “prevented the unthinkable”.

“Our love goes out to the other victims and their families,” he said.

“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.

“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.”

Hours earlier, Trump said he was “shot with a bullet” that pierced the upper portion of his right ear.

Trump said in the post on his Truth Social platform that he “knew immediately that something was wrong”.

You can read both of Trump’s statements in full below.

Melania Trump released a statement, calling for the country to “ascend above the hate”.

“I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans. We have always been a unique union. America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one,” the wife of the former president wrote.

“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change.

“I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.”

The former first lady expressed her condolences to the families of those killed and injured, calling the shooter “a monster”.

“A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” she wrote.

“The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”

Trump lands in New Jersey to spend night at golf club

Trump fell to the ground, seemingly injured, after the first pop of shots rang out. Screams could be heard coming from the onlookers as security personnel surrounded the former president and led him away from the lectern.

Trump appeared to be calling out to the crowd and could be seen pumping his fist as he was brought to his feet and whisked away into a vehicle offstage.

His private jet landed shortly after midnight (2pm AEST) on Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Video posted by an aide showed him deplaning flanked by Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s counter assault team, an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail.

Trump planned to spend the night at his private golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey.

The Secret Service said in a statement that Trump was “safe.”

The FBI classified the shooting as an assassination attempt on the former president.

“We do not currently have an identified motive,” Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Pittsburgh field office said on Saturday.

Full coverage of Donald Trump’s shooting

The shooter was killed by the Secret Service, and a rally attendee was also killed.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said a second spectator was in a serious condition.

“An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” Secret Service chief spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

Donald Trump’s first Truth Social statement in full

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.

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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Donald Trump’s second Truth Social statement in full

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.

We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.

Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.

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.

I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.

– Reported with CNN

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