Trump sees outpouring of support after assassination attempt at rally stop

Politicians and high-profile celebrities rushed to offer support for ex-President Donald Trump after he was injured in an apparent assassination attempt during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania.

Members of Congress were stunned as Trump, 78, was rushed offstage by Secret Service at a campaign event in Butler.

Sen. J.D. Vance, a potential running-mate for the Republican ticket, was the first to take to X just minutes after shouts rang out at the campaign event.

“Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok,” he said, sharing a picture of Trump being shuttled off the stage by his Secret Service detail moments later.

“We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies,” said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, another vice presidential contender said on X. “Today he showed it.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson was the first Republican to put out a statement in the moments after the party’s presumptive presidential nominee was rushed off the stage with blood streaming from his ear.
“Praying for President Trump,” Johnson simply wrote on X.

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“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene,” he added in a statement posted to X.

Later, he said he had been “briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”

Trump was later deemed safe and a campaign spokesperson confirmed that he was being treated at a local medical facility.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who had survived a near-fatal shooting in 2017 himself, said in a statement around the same time, “Praying for President Donald Trump. There is never any place for political violence.”

“For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America,” Scalise added later in another statement.

“Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past,” he said. “This incendiary rhetoric must stop.”

“AMERICA IS PRAYING! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP! #SAVEAMERICA,” House Republican conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) posted on X minutes later.

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“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) added in a statement a little before 7 p.m. “I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response.”

“America is a democracy,” he also said. “Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”

“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said minutes later. “Political violence has no place in our country.”

“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) posted after. “Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.”

President Biden made a brief appearance near his Rehoboth Beach, Del., vacation home about Trump’s condition and said he was planning “on talking to him shortly.”

“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” former President Barack Obama also said on X. “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.”

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“Today, the nation witnessed a horrifying assassination attempt on President Trump,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) added. “America is grateful for the quick action of the Secret Service and local law enforcement. I’m praying for the victims and their families. Donald Trump is a warrior and will not be intimidated by this cowardly attack.”

“It’s a wonder Donald Trump is alive. Let’s call this what it was. An assassination attempt with at least one innocent bystander murdered,” added Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). “The nation needs to know who did this. And why. And we need a full, public investigation by Congress into HOW it happened.”

“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe,” said House Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose husband was attacked in 2022 in her San Francisco home by a madman with a hammer.

“As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed,” she added.

Trump’s opponents in the 2024 election also denounced the politically motivated violence.

“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,” said independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“As a Christian, I pray for brother Trump and his precious family!” said fellow independent candidate Cornel West. “As presidential candidates, we all must renounce any language and acts of hatred and violence against anyone, including Black People, Immigrants, Palestinians, Jews, Muslims…”

“Myself and my team are sending our thoughts and well wishes to President Donald Trump,” said Libertarian Party presidential candidate Chase Oliver. “Political violence is never the answer, no matter how divided we may be.”

Other Senate and House lawmakers were also quick to respond to the terrifying ordeal.

“Political violence is absolutely unacceptable,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said. “I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”

“I am praying for the safety and health of former President Trump and everyone else in Butler, and I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act is swiftly apprehended by law enforcement,” said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.). “There is no room in America for political violence of any kind, against anyone, for any reason.”

“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X sharing video of raising his fist in defiance as he exited the stage at the event, adding later: “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt”

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