Trump’s Quick Move Saves His Life
In a remarkable turn of events, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped a bullet during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As Trump began his speech, gunshots rang out, and one bullet grazed his ear. Video footage reveals that a simple head tilt, mere seconds before the shot, saved him from the assassination attempt.
Multiple video clips show Trump’s Secret Service agents swarming and covering him immediately after the shots were fired. In slow-motion footage, Trump’s head tilt can be seen just before the bullet grazes his ear, highlighting the split-second timing that spared his life. Another video captures the chaos behind the stage, with agents rushing to the former president’s rescue.
Trump’s reaction
After being shot, Trump grabbed his right ear, saw the blood, and dropped to his knees behind the podium. Emerging moments later with blood streaked across his face, he defiantly pumped his fist and urged the crowd, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” One rally attendee was killed, and two others were critically injured in the attack.
The attack, which left Trump with a wound on his upper right ear, is likely to reshape the presidential race and raise concerns about the security measures for the Republican candidate. Trump, who later arrived at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, is reportedly “doing well” with no major injuries besides the ear wound.
Shooter identified and neutralized
The FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican. Crooks, who fired from a rooftop about 140 meters from the stage, was shot dead by Secret Service agents. An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle was found near his body.
Trump addressed the incident on his Truth Social platform, saying, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.”