Former President Donald Trump thanked law enforcement and the Secret Service after the shooting at a rally for him Saturday at about 6 p.m. in Butler, Pa., in which he said he was shot in the upper part of his right ear.
Video of the chaos that ensued after shots rang out as he spoke at the rally podium showed Trump grasping his right ear as Secret Service and security grabbed him and whisked him off the stage.
“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,” Trump said in an email a few hours after the shooting.
“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,” Trump said. “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
News reports say the identity of the shooter was unknown Saturday night.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, said on Twitter: “Violence of any form has no place in America. Glad to hear that President Trump is doing well and wish him the best in a speedy recovery.”
Chris Ager, chairman of the NH GOP, said in an email: “God Bless President Trump and the United States of America. I ask all of you to pray for President Trump, the attendees that have been killed or injured, and our country. This shooting is nothing less than evil. Let’s pull together and fight for our views – without violence. But make no mistake, we will protect ourselves.”
President Joe Biden Tweeted: “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, D-Concord, who is running for governor, said, “Today is a sad day for our country. There is no room for political violence in America. I am grateful for the swift response of the secret service. My thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and all attendees of the rally in Butler.”
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne of Auburn said in a statement, “The shooting tonight at President Trump’s campaign rally is nothing short of an outrage. For years, the Left has been peddling false information about President Trump, and as a result, radicalizing their base to despise him to the point of attempted murder.
“Furthermore, we have witnessed an Administration that has weaponized our criminal justice system against their political opponent, President Trump, to delegitimize him in the eyes of public opinion. We insist that our colleagues on the other side condemn this shooting and wage campaigns on truth and policy rather than smear and defamation,” Osborne said.
Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, who is also running for governor as a Democrat, said: “Political violence is unacceptable. I’m hoping President Trump and everyone at his rally is safe.”
Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican running for governor, said, “Joe and I are thankful to hear that President Trump is safe and this heinous attempt on his life failed. There is no place for political violence in our society and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families tonight.”