Former President Donald J. Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pa., early Saturday evening. NBC reported that after the sound of gunshots, President Trump, who was speaking from a podium, put his right hand up to his ear before crumpling to the ground. Moments later, he stood up and was shepherded to a nearby limo by a wall of a half dozen secret service agents. It appeared he suffered from a superficial wound on his right ear.
One of his sons, Donald J. Trump Jr., later said his father was in "great spirits."
Shortly after the shooting, Representative Nick LaLota, a Republican who in January endorsed President Trump in his 2024 re-election bid, and his opponent in the First Congressional District race, John Avlon, a Democrat, released statements.
"Prayers for President Trump and for the safety of everyone at today's Pennsylvania rally," said Representative LaLota.
"Political violence is what we all must stand up against. It has no place in our country," said Mr. Avlon.
The gunman, who early reports indicate shot from a roof, and an audience member are dead, NBC reported.
President Biden spoke minutes after the shooting, likely an attempted assassination, and said he hoped to speak with Mr. Trump shortly.
"Look, there is no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," he said. "It's one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this. The idea that there is political violence like this in America is unheard of and it's just not appropriate. Everybody must condemn it."
