LIVE COVERAGE: Trump Shot in Assassination Attempt at PA Rally

That concludes Townhall’s live coverage of Trump’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, for right now… we’ll be back in the morning. 

What we know is that Trump is fine. He’s in New Jersey right now. Tragically, one attendee was killed in the crossfire. Two others were injured. The shooter is dead. Law enforcement officials held a nothing burger presser around 11:45 pm on July 13, where they said, we’re cops, we’re working together, we’re not saying much, and it might take us months to fully investigate this assassination attempt. 

Joe Biden couldn’t say this was an assassination attempt even though the FBI determined it was such an attack. He later called the former president.

There will be an avalanche of questions regarding how someone with a rifle could access the rooftop overlooking the stage where Trump was standing. 

The liberal media has developed an allergy to the words ‘assassination attempt’ in their coverage, with multiple segments on CBS, CNN, and elsewhere carrying the same patronizing and tone-deaf tone that’s become a hallmark characteristic regarding how the legacy media covers this man. 

We’ll keep you updated on any further updates. It’s time to power down and reflect on what a day it has been and how close we came to national tragedy.  

The next president of the United States 

And Trump is wheels-down in New Jersey: 

BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump lands at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, hours after assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/1BiBV9SEL0

— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News) July 14, 2024

Meanwhile, at Trump Tower in Manhattan, security has been stepped up:

Outside Trump Tower in New York City. None of the barricades or police were here last night. pic.twitter.com/WAl5kJwlLZ

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 14, 2024

In another interesting answer, officials said they wouldn’t make an “assessment” about whether Saturday’s chaos was a “failure of security” ….. even though the former President of the United States and 2024 frontrunner was just *shot* at a rally, one of his supporters was murdered, and two more were critically wounded. 

If that’s not a clear-cut “failure of security,” well, I don’t know what else to call it. 

So that presser was… not super useful. 

Officials did not confirm the shooter’s identity, saying there were some “complicators” delaying such a positive ID. They did say the shooter did not have identification and they were instead using biometrics — such as looking at photographs and testing DNA — to confirm who the would-be Trump assassin was. 

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 14, 2024

SHOOTER WHO TRIED TO ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT TRUMP CONFIRMED AS A 20 YEAR OLD MAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA!

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 14, 2024

You never know how you’re going to respond when the shit hits the fan. Trump rose to the occasion today. His clenched fist will define him. Forever more Donald Trump will be remembered as defiant and brave in the face of potentially deadly violence. No guts no glory.

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) July 13, 2024

Even anti-Trumpers are praying for the 45th president.

Unsecured rooftop 150 yards away. Multiple witnesses saying they were screaming at secret service and cops for 3-4 minutes as they watched the guy with the rifle crawl to the spot and line up his shot. Take your secret service and shove it up your ass. Prayers to Trump and…

— Bobby Kennedy III (@bobbykennedyx) July 14, 2024

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise recalls that Trump was the first person to check on him after he was shot in 2017. 

“President Trump was one of the first people to come check on me & console my family at the hospital when I was shot on the baseball field in 2017. That’s the kind of caring person he is. Tonight I’m praying for him & the victims of this political violence. We know he’s a strong fighter,” he said. 

We learned one very important thing tonight — President Donald Trump is willing to die for this country.

Willing to die for this movement.

Willing to die for us.

Vote for the guy who is willing to die for what he believes in.

Thats real 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vGsTKvxHXY

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 14, 2024

Judge fund manager Bill Ackman formally endorses Trump. 

I am going to formally endorse @realDonaldTrump. I came to this decision some time ago as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden.

The reason why I have not yet formally done so is that I want to explain my…

— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 14, 2024

Trump is receiving support from all around. 

Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight. So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families.

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) July 14, 2024

An American flag still flies over the site of Trump’s rally in Butler, PA.

The fairgrounds remain an active crime scene, as law enforcement processes evidence and continues to question witnesses. pic.twitter.com/B8TWU7hYND

— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) July 14, 2024

A House Homeland Security Committee source suggests to me that the panel will investigate reports Trump was denied requests for more Secret Service protection

“Obviously, such reports are deeply troubling and demand investigation,” source says

— Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) July 14, 2024

House Oversight Chairman Comer is already firing off hearing invites to officials:

🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.

Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf

— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024

Speaker Johnson pledges significant inquiry from the House:

THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY.

The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP.

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 14, 2024

Bolsonaro says, according to Google Translate, he stands in solidarity with the greatest world leader at the moment. “See you at the inauguration.”

– Nossa solidariedade ao maior líder mundial do momento.
– Esperamos sua pronta recuperação.
– Nos veremos na posse.
– Jair Bolsonaro. pic.twitter.com/cQr9e7rl3A

— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) July 13, 2024

Police are currently on the scene of the 100 block of Lawrence Avenue in Butler. It appears they are searching a van that has been sitting here for hours with out of state plates. Bomb squad is on their way @WTAE pic.twitter.com/0KLWDBmHwl

— Yazmin Rodriguez (@yrodriguezwtae) July 14, 2024

“I heard they just tried to whack my boy Trump. I’m glad that man is OK. Long live Trump! Let’s go baby. Trump 2024!” Elder said after winning. Trump has long been a fan of the UFC.

The President of Taiwan: 

My thoughts and prayers are with former US President Trump and I wish him a swift recovery. Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims affected by the attack.

— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) July 14, 2024

Our media, everyone:

The first assassination attempt of a current/former president in what, 40 years?

NBC White House correspondent: “the shooting incident.” https://t.co/JbRl80Sqlc

— John Cooper (@thejcoop) July 14, 2024

Johnson: THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY.

The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees…

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 14, 2024