That concludes Townhall's live coverage of Trump's assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, for right now... we'll be back in the morning.
What we know is that Trump is fine. He's in New Jersey right now. Tragically, one attendee was killed in the crossfire. Two others were injured. The shooter is dead. Law enforcement officials held a nothing burger presser around 11:45 pm on July 13, where they said, we're cops, we're working together, we're not saying much, and it might take us months to fully investigate this assassination attempt.
Joe Biden couldn't say this was an assassination attempt even though the FBI determined it was such an attack. He later called the former president.
There will be an avalanche of questions regarding how someone with a rifle could access the rooftop overlooking the stage where Trump was standing.
The liberal media has developed an allergy to the words 'assassination attempt' in their coverage, with multiple segments on CBS, CNN, and elsewhere carrying the same patronizing and tone-deaf tone that's become a hallmark characteristic regarding how the legacy media covers this man.
We'll keep you updated on any further updates. It's time to power down and reflect on what a day it has been and how close we came to national tragedy.
The next president of the United States
BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump lands at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, hours after assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/1BiBV9SEL0
— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News) July 14, 2024
Meanwhile, at Trump Tower in Manhattan, security has been stepped up:
Outside Trump Tower in New York City. None of the barricades or police were here last night. pic.twitter.com/WAl5kJwlLZ
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 14, 2024
BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump lands at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, hours after assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/1BiBV9SEL0
— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News) July 14, 2024
Meanwhile, at Trump Tower in Manhattan, security has been stepped up:
Outside Trump Tower in New York City. None of the barricades or police were here last night. pic.twitter.com/WAl5kJwlLZ
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 14, 2024
Meanwhile, at Trump Tower in Manhattan, security has been stepped up:
Outside Trump Tower in New York City. None of the barricades or police were here last night. pic.twitter.com/WAl5kJwlLZ
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 14, 2024
In another interesting answer, officials said they wouldn't make an "assessment" about whether Saturday's chaos was a "failure of security" ..... even though the former President of the United States and 2024 frontrunner was just *shot* at a rally, one of his supporters was murdered, and two more were critically wounded.
If that's not a clear-cut "failure of security," well, I don't know what else to call it.
Officials did confirm that the elevated position from which the shooter fired at Trump as he rallied his supporters was "some distance" outside the security perimeter. Asked about the shooter's ability to use that vantage point, authorities said that the Secret Service — which did not have a representative at the press conference — "needs to answer that question."
In addition, when asked whether the shooter was a "lone wolf," authorities said it's still "too early" to say and that while they have "one shooter tentatively identified," investigators are "not stopping there" as they continue processing the rally-turned-crime scene and following leads.
So that presser was... not super useful.
Officials did not confirm the shooter's identity, saying there were some "complicators" delaying such a positive ID. They did say the shooter did not have identification and they were instead using biometrics — such as looking at photographs and testing DNA — to confirm who the would-be Trump assassin was.
After an *assassination attempt* https://t.co/gPt6Ec0NXE
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) July 14, 2024
Someone attempted to assassinate my father tonight and this is what @CNN is focused on.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 14, 2024
These people are vile. https://t.co/ZNKe9cuNQz
SHOOTER WHO TRIED TO ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT TRUMP CONFIRMED AS A 20 YEAR OLD MAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA!
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 14, 2024
WOW! Petter Doocy just said on Fox News that he was talking to a senior WH staffer right when the news came out and that person didn't know what he was talking about, as the WH staff was hearing news in real time.
You never know how you’re going to respond when the shit hits the fan. Trump rose to the occasion today. His clenched fist will define him. Forever more Donald Trump will be remembered as defiant and brave in the face of potentially deadly violence. No guts no glory.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) July 13, 2024
Even anti-Trumpers are praying for the 45th president.
Unsecured rooftop 150 yards away. Multiple witnesses saying they were screaming at secret service and cops for 3-4 minutes as they watched the guy with the rifle crawl to the spot and line up his shot. Take your secret service and shove it up your ass. Prayers to Trump and…
— Bobby Kennedy III (@bobbykennedyx) July 14, 2024
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise recalls that Trump was the first person to check on him after he was shot in 2017.
“President Trump was one of the first people to come check on me & console my family at the hospital when I was shot on the baseball field in 2017. That's the kind of caring person he is. Tonight I'm praying for him & the victims of this political violence. We know he's a strong fighter,” he said.
Feds holding a press conference at 11:45pm ET. The FBI has reportedly ID'd the shooter but are withholding the name for now, presumably to be announced at the presser.
We learned one very important thing tonight — President Donald Trump is willing to die for this country.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 14, 2024
Willing to die for this movement.
Willing to die for us.
Vote for the guy who is willing to die for what he believes in.
Thats real 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vGsTKvxHXY
Judge fund manager Bill Ackman formally endorses Trump.
I am going to formally endorse @realDonaldTrump. I came to this decision some time ago as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden.
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 14, 2024
The reason why I have not yet formally done so is that I want to explain my…
Trump is receiving support from all around.
Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight. So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) July 14, 2024
Biden spoke to Trump after the shooting. He also spoke with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy. Biden is set to return to DC this evening and will receive updates from homeland security officials.
An American flag still flies over the site of Trump’s rally in Butler, PA.
— Ben Siegel (@bensiegel) July 14, 2024
The fairgrounds remain an active crime scene, as law enforcement processes evidence and continues to question witnesses. pic.twitter.com/B8TWU7hYND
A House Homeland Security Committee source suggests to me that the panel will investigate reports Trump was denied requests for more Secret Service protection
— Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) July 14, 2024
“Obviously, such reports are deeply troubling and demand investigation,” source says
House Oversight Chairman Comer is already firing off hearing invites to officials:
🚨BREAKING🚨@RepJamesComer has invited U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing on Monday, July 22.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 14, 2024
Americans demand answers about the assassination attempt of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/zKia2oIxCf
Speaker Johnson pledges significant inquiry from the House:
THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 14, 2024
The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP.
Speaker Johnson pledges significant inquiry from the House:
THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 14, 2024
The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP.
Bolsonaro says, according to Google Translate, he stands in solidarity with the greatest world leader at the moment. "See you at the inauguration."
- Nossa solidariedade ao maior líder mundial do momento.
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) July 13, 2024
- Esperamos sua pronta recuperação.
- Nos veremos na posse.
- Jair Bolsonaro. pic.twitter.com/cQr9e7rl3A
The assassination attempt led to Bolsonaro's victory.
Police are currently on the scene of the 100 block of Lawrence Avenue in Butler. It appears they are searching a van that has been sitting here for hours with out of state plates. Bomb squad is on their way @WTAE pic.twitter.com/0KLWDBmHwl
— Yazmin Rodriguez (@yrodriguezwtae) July 14, 2024
"I heard they just tried to whack my boy Trump. I'm glad that man is OK. Long live Trump! Let's go baby. Trump 2024!" Elder said after winning. Trump has long been a fan of the UFC.
The President of Taiwan:
My thoughts and prayers are with former US President Trump and I wish him a swift recovery. Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims affected by the attack.
— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) July 14, 2024
Our media, everyone:
The first assassination attempt of a current/former president in what, 40 years?
— John Cooper (@thejcoop) July 14, 2024
NBC White House correspondent: "the shooting incident." https://t.co/JbRl80Sqlc
Johnson: THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 14, 2024
The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees…