Donald Trump survives assassination attempt; Michigan reacts
- Donald Trump rushed off-stage after apparent assassination attempt during Pennsylvania rally
- The former president and presumptive GOP nominee is 'fine,' campaign says
- Michigan officials offer prayers, condemnations of political violence
LANSING — A broad array of Michigan officials condemned political violence Saturday night after former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump is "fine" and was being treated at a local medical facility after the shooting, according to his campaign.
One rally attendee was killed, however, as was the gunman, according to the Associated Press, which reported that law enforcement is investigating the shooting as a suspected assassination attempt.
Trump was ushered off stage shortly after 6 p.m. following the attack and the event immediately ended. Shortly after, condemnations of the incident began pouring in from officials across the state and country.
“Pray for President Trump and America,” Michigan GOP chair Pete Hoekstra wrote on social media.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a harsh Trump critic and co-chair of President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, wrote on X that “this is not how we solve our differences.
“I am horrified to learn of this news, and we will be following the situation closely. I am grateful for those in law enforcement who stepped in immediately,” wrote Whitmer.
“This has no place in America,” said Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain.
It’s reportedly the first time since 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was shot outside a hotel in Washington D.C., there has been a public attempt to kill a president or former president in the United States.
Photos and video from the event appeared to show blood on the side of Trump’s head after popping sounds rang out. The former president and presumptive Republican nominee for president this year raised his fist after Secret Service agents rushed him off stage during the rally, which was held in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In a message posted on his Truth Social media site at 8:42 p.m., Trump offered a brief description of the shooting, saying he “heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
He thanked law enforcement and members of the Secret Service for their “rapid response.” He also offered condolences to those injured or killed in the shooting.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” he wrote.
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 14, 2024
In live remarks delivered shortly after 8:15 p.m., President Joe Biden — who is running for reelection against Trump — condemned the attack and said he was attempting to reach Trump by phone.
"There's no place in America for this kind of violence," Biden said. "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,” he added. “Everybody must condemn this. Everybody.”
Biden: There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick. It's sick. It is one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this. pic.twitter.com/Hgce6vs0ni
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 14, 2024
Michigan officials offered a series of comments on the shooting as details began to emerge Saturday evening. Here are some of their responses:
Shots were just fired at President Trump.
— Lisa McClain (@LisaForCongress) July 13, 2024
Please stop what you’re doing and pray.
Pray for President Trump.
Pray for those in attendance.
Pray for our heroic Law Enforcement.
Pray for our Country.
This has no place in America.
Political violence is never acceptable under any circumstances.
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) July 13, 2024
I sincerely hope any parties involved in this horrific act are brought to justice and held accountable.
Please pray for President Trump, and all those involved, following the shooting that took place at his rally today.
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) July 13, 2024
Praying for President Trump. pic.twitter.com/P80VxUuhNj
— Rep. Tim Walberg (@RepWalberg) July 13, 2024
Praying for President Trump and everyone at his rally today.
— John Moolenaar (@JohnMoolenaar) July 13, 2024
Violence is never the answer.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) July 13, 2024
I am glad the former President is safe. Hoping that others in attendance at today’s rally are too.
I am following this situation closely and thankful for the Secret Service and law enforcement for responding immediately to this terrible incident.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0FtYH23mxK
— Sen. Roger Victory (@SenRogerVictory) July 13, 2024
Political violence is never acceptable. I’m grateful for law enforcement and first responders who acted quickly in Pennsylvania today.
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) July 13, 2024
This is disturbing and wrong. We must unequivocally condemn hate and violence against anyone, anywhere.
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) July 13, 2024
Political violence is unacceptable, anytime, anywhere, against anyone.
— Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) July 13, 2024
I pray for the swift recovery of the former president and am grateful for all in law enforcement who stepped in to protect everyone at the rally from further violence.
May this disturbing incident provide a…
Praying for President Trump and our country. pic.twitter.com/8j2x8GKtki
— Senator Aric Nesbitt (@SenAricNesbitt) July 13, 2024
My thoughts are with former President Trump and the Trump family. Violence like this has no place in our nation.
— Shri Thanedar (@ShriThanedar) July 13, 2024
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