Joe Biden dodges assassination attempt question after shooting at Trump rally & says he ‘has opinion but no facts’

PRESIDENT Biden has condemned as “sick” the shooting of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and says he has reached out to him to offer his support.

The President stopped short of confirming Saturday’s shooting as an assassination attempt as he addressed the media from his home in Delaware.

AP

“There is no place in America for this type of violence,” he said, adding that the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania was “sick, it’s sick.”

He said that he was relieved Donald Trump is reportedly “doing well,” and said he had reached out to him but hadn’t spoken to him yet.

He added that “everybody must condemn,” the attack on Trump, but stopped short of calling it an assassination attempt.

Asked by a reporter whether he thought it was an attempt to kill the former President, the sitting Commander-in-Chief said: “I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts.”

Biden is set to return to the White House on Saturday night ahead of schedule in light of the shooting.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, who was also in Pennsylvania today for a rally in Philadelphia, has condemned the shooting as well.

She said in a statement she has been briefed on the shooting, and that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are “relieved that he is not seriously injured.”

Harris said: “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.

“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.”

Hillary Clinton, who was defeated by Trump in 2016, has also released a statement through her husband following the news.

Former President Bill Clinton said he and Hillary “are thankful that President Trump is safe” and “heartbroken for all those affected.”

Congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Mike Johnson have both been briefed on the events of Saturday evening.

A shooter is dead and two other people are in a critical condition following the shooting at a Trump rally in western Pennsylvania just after 6 pm on Saturday evening.

Chaotic scenes broke out after a volley of pops were heard during Trump’s speech , at which point the former president grabbed his ear before dropping to the ground.

Panicked screaming started in the crowd as those behind Trump in the bleachers ducked down.

The Republican frontrunner was then seen getting up shakily to his feet before raising his fist to his supporters.

Eyewitnesses described a noise like “firecrackers” before seeing a man sat behind the former president dying from a shot to his head.

Donald Trump has issued a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after he was rushed away from the scene.

Thanking the Secret Service for “their rapid response,” he described the moment he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

Adding that he “knew immediately that something was wrong,” after hearing “a whizzing sound,” before he “felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”

He also offered his condolences to the family of the person killed in the shooting, and the family of the person who was badly injured.

Trump’s motorcade was seen driving away from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh just before 9 pm.

Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline

Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.

4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.

4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.

5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.

6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.

6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.

6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.

6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.

7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.

8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.

8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that a spectator has been killed and another attendee was rushed to hospital and is in a serious condition.

“The shooter is dead,” Goldinger said.

He added that the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but didn’t provide any additional information about their location.

Pictures shared on social media appear to show the body of the shooter on the roof of a building outside the rally, after being killed by the Secret Service.

“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” he went on.

No information is known about the identity of the shooter or any potential motivations for the attack.

In an updated statement, a Secret Service spokesperson said: “At approximately 6.15 pm, a suspected shooter filed multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.

“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”

They added that former President Trump “is safe and being evaluated.”

It comes just a day before Republican delegates are set to arrive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

Reince Preibus, Chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, has confirmed that the Convention was still going ahead, after paying condolences to the family of the deceased rally attendee.

“Guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week,” he said in a statement.

Donald Trump’s campaign team has also confirmed he will still be attending the RNC, where he is expected to officially name his VP pick.

Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction

Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.

President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.

“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick,” the president continued. “We cannot condone this.”

Vice President Harris said she was “relieved” Trump was not seriously injured.

“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she continued.

Former President Obama said on X: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.

“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.

Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: “Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.”

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

Britain’s new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”

Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a “miracle” that his friend is still alive.

Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.

“But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It’s horrible, and yet somehow not surprising.”

Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows “the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason”.

Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was “appalled” by the events in the US.

“Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail,” he said on X.

“I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this.”

AP

Fox

Getty

Donald Trump Rally Security

Donald Trump was reportedly shot at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, July 13.

Trump’s rally was held at the Butler Farm Grounds, which can hold tens of thousands of people.

There were 8-10 metal detectors at the grounds, according to Former USUN Ambassador Kip Tom.

Tom told CNN that anyone within a certain distance of the president was required to enter through those metal detectors.

Despite being held at an open fairground, the rally was fenced-in, meaning a perimeter was set up.

Counter snipers from the Secret Service were stationed in the area to monitor the perimeter.

In addition to metal detectors for the public, plus local and state police, the Secret Service is assigned to protect the president.

Secret Service agents immediately jumped to cover Trump after he appeared to be shot.

“We have practiced for these situations thousands of times,” Jonathan Wackrow, former agent, told CNN.

CNN also reported that the Secret Service shot and killed the reported shooter.

The FBI assumed the larger investigation of the shooting, working in tandem with the Secret Service.