Former President Donald Trump was unharmed after gunshots were fired in his vicinity while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.
News broke that former President Donald Trump was safe after gunshots rang out nearby as he played at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, sending shockwaves through the political sphere.
The shots, later determined to have been fired by Secret Service agents, were aimed at a man carrying an AK-47 in what the FBI described as an apparent assassination attempt. Trump was reportedly playing the club's fifth hole when the gunfire erupted, prompting Secret Service agents to rush him to safety.
Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump: Gunshots Fired at Golf Club
Steven Cheung of the Trump Campaign communications team released a statement: "President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., reacted to the incident, tweeting: "Again folks!" alluding to the previous assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. "SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida," he added. "An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement."
A suspect was reportedly apprehended, according to Trump Jr. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., retweeted a post about Trump's safety, stating: "Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country."
The White House issued a statement: "The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Club, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team."
Representative Anna Paulina, R-Fla., condemned the "radical left" for its rhetoric, which she claimed led to violence. "This irresponsible rhetoric is causing people to get hurt," she said. "We cannot bow down to intimidation, violence, and persecution."
Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., thanked law enforcement for their response and expressed gratitude for Trump's safety. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., applauded the Secret Service and condemned political violence, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., echoed those sentiments.
The Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump released a joint statement: "We are thankful that the former President was not harmed, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms. The Task Force will share updates as we learn more."
Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., expressed gratitude for Trump's safety and raised concerns about the security lapse: "We must ask ourselves how an assassin was allowed to get this close to President Trump again?"
