Donald Trump shooting LIVE updates: Bomb-making material found in suspect’s car and home

Bitcoin rose above $60,000 after Donald Trump’s defiant response to an assassination attempt spurred speculation that his chances of winning the presidential election have climbed. Bitcoin rose as much as 2.7% to $60,160.71 as of 1:05 a.m. in New York. The most-traded crypto token had stabilized in recent days on optimism that ETFs from titans including BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments offer the type of bedrock demand that can temper price swings.

(Bloomberg)

Bomb making materials found in vehicle, at home of man suspected in Trump rally shooting. Law enforcement officials also said that the gun recovered from the rally had been legally purchased by the suspect’s father.

“I am deeply concerned by the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. Such acts must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.. Wishing him a swift and complete recovery,” the Leader of Opposition wrote on X.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“Physical or otherwise, right-wing leaders across the globe are now active targets of the radical left. However, these attacks will not be able to defeat the ‘nation first’ ideology. My best wishes to Donald Trump as he stands strong. #StandWithTrump #NationFirst,” the CM wrote on X.

“The head of the Secret Service and the leader of this security detail should resign,” the billionaire businessman tweeted. 

He shared a news video clipping that indicated eyewitnesses had raised the alarm about a ‘suspicious’ man on a roof with a rifle.

The Russian administration has condemned the recent attack against Donald Trump and expressed its condolences for the victims. The Kremlin said that it ‘does not believe’ that the assassination attempt was organised by the current administration. It however claimed that the Joe Biden-led US government had ‘created an atmosphere’ that provoked the attack.

An Italian sports journalist said on Sunday he would take legal action after being falsely identified on social media as the suspected shooter in an assassination attempt against U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump.

A message shared widely on the X platform reads: “Per the Butler Police Department the Trump shooter has been arrested at the scene and has been identified as Mark Violets, an Antifa member.”

It was accompanied by a picture of Italian journalist Marco Violi. He is the editor of romagiallorossa.it, a fan website for the Italian soccer club AS Roma.

(Reuters)

Florida GOP Representative Mike Waltz has claimed on Sunday that the Secret Service had been urged to increase protection for Donald Trump. This was allegedly denied by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. 

Thomas Matthew Crooks was a 20-year-old registered Republican who would have voted for the first time in the presidential election in November. He lived in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park — some 56 km south of the rally site. Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service personnel on Saturday, soon after he fired a volley of shots at Trump from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue.”

Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and Tron founder Justin Sun has endorsed Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, he said on his social media platform X on Sunday.

“He is a better choice for the crypto industry and can ensure fairer treatment,” he said, hours after Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said the attempted assassination of Donald Trump was a “moment of shock not only for America, but also for the entire free and democratic world”.

In a posting on X, Duda “thanked God” for having “saved the life” of Donald Trump and expressed hope that he would “recover all his strength soon”.

Germany’s foreign minister on Sunday posted on X that the shooting of Donald Trump at a campaign rally on Saturday indicated “dark hours” for American democracy and said violence should not be a means of political conflict.

“In democracies, elections are decided by ballot papers and not by weapons. In these dark hours for American democracy, my thoughts are with the victims of the attack. I wish Donald Trump and the other injured a speedy recovery,” Annalena Baerbock’s post read.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday called the assassination attempt against former US president Donald Trump “despicable”, and said political violence posed a threat to democracy.

“The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a speedy recovery. My thoughts are also with the people who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy,” Scholz said on X.

China has expressed concern about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

“President Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to former President Trump,” the statement said.

New York State GOP chairman Ed Cox said, “Americans saw what Donald Trump was made of. It’s going to energize us. He showed the toughness people like. You can only admire that. You can see him saying after getting shot, `Fight, fight. Keep fighting.'”

The Trump campaign has launched a GoFundMe for the victims caught in the crossfire of the assassination attempt. “President Donald Trump has authorized this account as a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed in today’s brutal and horrific assassination attempt. All donations will be directed to these proud Americans as they grieve and recover. May God bless and unite our nation,” the fundraiser reads.

Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally on Saturday after a major security lapse, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s presidential race and fuel long-standing fears that the campaign could descend into political violence.

In the moments after the shooting, Trump was swarmed and covered up by his security agents. He quickly emerged, his face streaked with blood, and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words “Fight! Fight! Fight!” The Trump campaign later said he was “doing well.”

The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the “subject involved” in what it termed an attempted assassination in a statement early on Sunday. He was a registered Republican, according to state voter records.

Taking to X, Emmanuel Macron wrote, “My thoughts to President Donald Trump, victim of an assassination attempt, to whom I wish a speedy recovery. One activist died, several were injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, it said in a statement on Sunday.

Crooks, who was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was registered as a Republican, according to the state’s voter records.

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday that the airspace over the Bethel Park was closed “effective immediately” for special security reasons.

Donald Trump shooting update: The gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, former US President and 2024 US Presidential candidate, at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, reported New York Post.

US President Joe Biden Saturday night spoke with his predecessor and Republican rival Donald Trump, hours after he survived an assassination attempt on him.

Trump, 78, was hit by a bullet in the upper part of his right ear when the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, the US Secret Service said.

The attacker killed one spectator at the rally, and two others were critically injured.

“This evening, President Biden spoke to former President Trump. The President also spoke to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy,” the White House said.

Biden was spending time this weekend at his home in Delaware but returned to the White House past midnight.

“Tomorrow morning at the White House, he will receive an updated briefing from homeland security and law enforcement officials,” the White House said.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said she was shocked to learn of a would-be assassin’s attempt to kill Donald Trump at a campaign rally.

The three-time White House third-party hopeful and far-left activist was in Milwaukee holding a counter-convention of sorts Saturday in protest against the upcoming Republican National Convention when an aide pulled her aside to tell her what transpired at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In addition to the revulsion she felt over such an attack on a fellow presidential candidate, Stein, a career physician, spoke in an interview with AFP about a broader structural crisis plaguing the nation.

Trump’s private jet landed shortly after midnight Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport. Video posted by an aide showed the former president deplaning, flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency’s counter assault team. It was 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.

“I’m sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.”

“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”

Kamala Harris said, “I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”

As per NY post, The gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

The FBI has “tentatively identified” the shooter who wounded former US president Donald Trump, an agent said overnight Saturday, adding they had no reason to believe the threat was ongoing.

“At this time we are not prepared to identify who the shooter is, we are close to an identification,” Special Agent Kevin Rojek told a press conference, saying agents were “working feverishly” to confirm.

“We have no reason to believe that there is any other existing threat out there,” he said.

Donald Trump shooting LIVE: Elon Musk has reacted on the video of the eye witness who told BBC that he had informed police, Secret Service about a suspicious man on a roof with a rifle. On this, Musk said that, “The head of the Secret Service and the leader of this security detail should resign.”

Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi said, “I am deeply concerned by the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. Such acts must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Wishing him a swift and complete recovery.”

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman endorsed Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race on Saturday.

“I just endorsed him,” Ackman posted on social media platform X after former President Trump was shot in the right ear during a campaign rally earlier Saturday. “But you know me. I write long posts on important topics. I want people to understand my thinking so it means more and helps others get to the right place,” Ackman said in response to an X user.

Ackman had considered endorsing Trump as recently as May, and had planned to announce his support on X, Reuters and other media outlets reported.

Donald Trump shooting LIVE: Rep. Dan Meuser was in the front row with other Republican elected officials and candidates when the shots rang out.

“It was pretty clear after the first pop that it was gunfire,” he told AP.

“My eyes were glued” on Trump he said.

“It was just a lot of mayhem, and just a terrible, terrible tragedy, a terrible shame.” (AP)

Donald Trump shooting LIVE: PM Modi took to X and said, “Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.”

Gunfire at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania (USA). He was escorted to a vehicle by the US Secret Service

“The former President is safe and further information will be released when available’ says the US Secret Service.

Donald Trump shooting LIVE: As reported by Associated Press, the FBI has said that it will be the lead law enforcement agency investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The bureau says it will be working with the Secret Service and local and state law enforcement. Attorney General Merrick Garland has said the ATF, the US attorney’s office in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Justice Department’s national security division are also investigating

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday that we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy, after multiple shots rang out at a rally held by former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

“I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery,” Kishida said in a post on social media platform X.

A rally attendee Erin Autenreith said she was “sitting in the first row in the middle. I was right in front of Trump.” “I was so excited. I just looked at him. Then I heard these pops. It sounded like a July 4 thing, pop, pop, pop,” said the 66-year-old from Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. “But when they all jumped on the stage, they surrounded him and put him down. That’s when we realized it must have been really a shot. “Then more people came and they cleared the area,” added Autenreith, who was attending her sixth Trump rally and had been volunteering at the gathering all day.

“Then they were talking to each other. ‘Left clear. Right clear.’ Then they got him up. And he said, “I gotta get my shoes on.'” She said those words — which were caught by Trump’s microphone and audible in footage of the incident — were the first he spoke. “And I saw on his cheek, on the right side, because he came up straight, I saw a little bit of blood,” Autenreith said. “He turned and I could see it from the ear. And then he put his arm up with a fist pump,” she added.

Former US President Donald J. Trump who was rushed to a hospital after the attemped assasination has now left from there, The Spectator Index reported.

Billionaire Elon Musk: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”

Vivek Ramaswamy issued a powerful statement condemning the attack said that whatever happened today was unacceptable. He urged Americans to unite against the unacceptable nature of political violence, invoking the words of Thomas Jefferson: “A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions…And if we feel their power just sufficiently to hoop us together, it will be the happiest situation in which we can exist. If the game runs sometimes against us, we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake.”

Donald Trump shooting LIVE: Taking to X, the Google CEO said, “I’m wishing President Trump a speedy recovery. I’m shocked by today’s shooting and loss of life. Political violence is intolerable and we must all come together to strongly oppose it.”

Ron Moose, a Trump supporter who was in the crowd, told Reuters that, “I heard about four shots and I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked also real quick. Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him.” 

The shooter was killed by the Secret Service, CNN has reported, citing a Secret Service source.

Former US president Donald Trump gave his first account of being shot at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, saying “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,” Trump, who was not seriously injured, said on his Truth Social site. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”
Citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, CNN reported that the Trump, who appeared to have sustained an injury to his ear in the shooting, will be fine and was promptly escorted by the US Secret Service.