Former US President Donald Trump, who was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt at an election rally on Saturday, expressed his eagerness to speak in Wisconsin at the upcoming Republican National Convention.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post.
This was Trump’s second post since surviving the assassination attempt at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Pennsylvania as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination. Crooks was killed by Secret Service agents shortly after he began shooting from the roof of a building about 140 meters from the stage where Trump was speaking. One rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically wounded, according to the Secret Service.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear… I knew immediately that something was wrong when I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and felt the bullet ripping through the skin. There was much bleeding,” Trump recounted in his first post on the Truth Social platform following the incident.
Melania Trump also condemned the assassination attempt, describing the gunman as a ‘monster’ who tried to extinguish the passion of the Republican presidential candidate.
“A monster who saw my husband as an inhuman political machine tried to snuff out Donald’s passion—his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” Melania Trump said in a statement shared on X.
Commending the Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials for their protection, Melania added, “When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized that my life and Barron’s life were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their lives to protect my husband.”
“The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best and worst of times,” she said.
This incident marks the first shooting attack on a US president or major party candidate since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
The shooting occurred less than four months before the November 5 election, where Trump faces a rematch against his Democratic challenger and current President Joe Biden.
Also read: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, Identified As Shooter In Attempted Assassination Of Donald Trump
Biden condemned the attack on Trump, stating that there is no place for such violence in America.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” Biden said in a statement.
Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also expressed shock and concern over the attack.
Referring to Trump as his “friend,” PM Modi took to X to convey his deep concern over the attempted assassination and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
“Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident,” PM Modi wrote. “Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, the injured, and the American people.”
