Former President Donald Trump has revealed he was shot in the ear during a rally. The former president shared the harrowing details on his Truth Social account, describing the moment he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his 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 posted. “Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”
Law enforcement sources, speaking to CBS News, have confirmed that the shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security measures at political rallies, especially in the current highly charged political climate.
Witness Accounts of the Chaotic Scene
One witness, speaking to the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue, described the tense moments when a man was seen crawling onto a roof with a rifle, approximately “five to seven minutes” into Trump’s remarks. “We noticed a guy crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 ft away from us,” he recounted. The witness and his friends tried to alert law enforcement to the man’s presence by pointing and shouting.
Another witness described hearing “pop, pop, pop” sounds before chaos ensued, with people rushing to the exits. “I heard the sounds. I heard the gunfire,” she said. The witness added that she wasn’t surprised a shooting occurred given the current political climate.
The Suspect and Law Enforcement Response
According to CBS News, the attacker, armed with a rifle, stood on an “elevated structure” outside a cordoned-off area at the rally, approximately 200 yards (182m) from Trump. The suspect was killed by a member of the US Secret Service counter-assault team, preventing further potential harm.
Reactions from the Trump Family and Political Allies
Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, released a statement reassuring the public about his father’s condition. “I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits. He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” he said. An aide confirmed that Trump Jr. was not in attendance at the rally.
The incident has sparked a wave of reactions from political figures and the public, highlighting the growing concerns over violence and security at political events. As the investigation continues, the nation watches closely, anxious for updates on the safety and well-being of one of its most prominent political figures.
