Resilience, gratitude and grief were highlighted in the remarks of former President Donald Trump and his children following a tragic assassination attempt.
Those attending or watching the live broadcast of the demonstration in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday were left in a state of shock that spread across the country as word spread that an attempt had been made on the life of the alleged 2024 Republican candidate.
As the former president demonstrated immediately afterward, keeping his composure and embodying the message with his raised fist for “Fight!” that he had delivered to those present, Trump's opening statement signified leadership as he touched on his own injury only after acknowledging the victims and those who had acted to prevent further tragedies.
“I want to thank the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies for their quick response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the president began shortly after being escorted away. “Most importantly, I want to convey my condolences to the family of the person who died in the demonstration and also to the family of another person who was seriously injured.”
Before detailing the extent of his own injury, Trump addressed the wider implications, confirming that the threat had been neutralized: “It's unbelievable that an act like this could take place in our country. We don't know anything at this point of the shooter, who is now dead. A bullet pierced my right ear. I immediately knew something was wrong, as I heard a whisper, gunshots, and immediately heard the bullet tear the skin. There was a lot of bleeding, so I realized what was going on. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
— Team Trump (text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 14, 2024
Throughout the night and into the night, as thoughts and prayers went up for the mortally wounded attendees, the injured and the families of all those affected, the president's children issued statements of their own that conveyed compassion and strength.
“Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania,” wrote Ivanka Trump, who stayed out of the campaign for the 2024 cycle. “I am grateful to the Secret Service and all other law enforcement officers for their swift and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country, father, today and always.”
In a similar vein, Tiffany Trump expressed, “The outpouring of love and support for my father is deeply appreciated. Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer. God bless the Secret Service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please keep the families of the victims in your prayers. As you saw today, my father is a fighter and will continue to fight for you and America.”
Leaving an image to do most of the talking for her, Trump's daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump, shared a faith representation depicting Jesus Christ searching for the former commander in chief. with the caption: “Fear not, for I am with you.”
Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, PA. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all other law enforcement officers for their swift and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024
The outpouring of love and support for my father is greatly appreciated. Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer. God bless the secret service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Include the families of the victims in your…
— Tiffany Ariana Trump (@TiffanyATrump) July 14, 2024
“Fear not, for I am with you” pic.twitter.com/2h8BKFGRuj
— Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) July 14, 2024
Meanwhile, the GOP leaders' eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, each matched their father's intensity seen at the time of the challenge after the assassination attempt with the former arguing, “He will never stop fighting to save America” and the latter saying, ” Never give up!!”
The president embodied those comments when he was seen just hours after the tragedy, stepping off his plane in New Jersey in a video captioned by his deputy communications director Margo Martin, who said: “Strong and resilient. He will never stop fighting for America.”
Strong and resistant. He will never stop fighting for America. pic.twitter.com/B9yR3SLQJV
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) July 14, 2024
He will never stop fighting to save America pic.twitter.com/qT4Vd0sVTm
—Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 13, 2024
Never give up!!
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) July 14, 2024
Elsewhere, Fox News National Correspondent Bill Melugin reported on an update from the US Secret Service and shared their statement which read: “During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania , on the afternoon of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired several shots into the stage from an elevated position outside the rally site.”
“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now dead. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and former President Trump is safe. One bystander was killed and two bystanders were seriously injured . This incident is currently under investigation,” the statement made clear, “and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
UPDATED SECRET SERVICE STATEMENT
“During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired several shots into the stage from an elevated position outside the venue of the concentration. WE…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 14, 2024
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