Trump rally shooting: Wisconsin leaders react to assassination attempt

MILWAUKEE - Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.

The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face.

In a statement on social media, Trump said he was "shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear."

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination, law enforcement officials said. 

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Reaction from both political allies and rivals alike. Here is what some of Wisconsin's top-ranking political figures had to say.

Gov. Tony Evers via X

My thoughts are with President Trump and all of the folks attending today’s rally in Pennsylvania.

Thank you to the first responders who acted quickly, putting themselves and their safety at risk in order to respond to a horrific act of violence and keep people safe.

My staff and I are in contact with those coordinating security planning for the RNC and will continue to be in close communication as we learn more about this situation.

We cannot be a country that accepts political violence of any kind—that is not who we are as Americans.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) via X

Pray for President Trump. Pray for America.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) via X

Violence of this kind is never acceptable and I condemn it in the strongest of terms. My thoughts are with President Trump and his family.

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) via X

Thankful President Trump survived today’s assassination attempt. Deeply saddened for the loss of life of someone simply showing support at a campaign rally. Prayers for all involved and for our nation after this tragedy.

U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin) via X

I’m praying for President Trump, his security detail, and all of the Trump supporters in Butler, PA.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin) via X

Praying for President Trump, his family, and our country.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin) via X

Praying for President Trump and our country.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) via X

Gun violence is not an acceptable form of political discourse. I pray for a full recovery for the former president, and anyone else who has been injured.

I will continue to monitor the ongoing response from law enforcement.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

"There’s no space, absolutely none, for this sort of violence in America.

 "No one should be shot –not like this.  Not kids, not churchgoers, and not a candidate for President of the United States.

 "We must demand peace, whether it is in the political sphere or in homes and neighborhoods everywhere."

Reince Priebus, chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee

"President Trump is in my prayers after surviving this assassination attempt. We are also heartbroken that reports indicate that at least one innocent person has been killed and perhaps others have been injured. This horrific violence has no place in America."

"Guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week." 

Milwaukee Ald. Scott Spiker

Political violence is abhorrent and should be rejected by all lovers of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power that lies at that political system’s core.

This remains true even if the object of that violence is someone you take to be a potential enemy of democracy and whom you fear will challenge or has already challenged the sanctity of our electoral process.

-If you are cheered by this moment, you are no lover of democracy.

-If you wish that an assassination attempt had been an actual assassination, you are no lover of democracy.

-If you do not rush to condemn this action and leave live the thought that you might condone it instead, you are no lover of democracy.

If you love the America we all do, you must reject in the clearest terms possible any attempt to thwart the democratic political process upon which it is built. That remains true whether or not the attempt is directed at someone you believe to be a threat to that process. It would be sheer hypocrisy to do otherwise.

Whether you do it in words or in thought alone, you cannot reject political violence on January 6 and embrace it on July 13.

I wish the former President a full and speedy recovery.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler via X

Joining all – across political the spectrum – unequivocally condemning today's horrific act of violence. Sending thoughts to President Trump and all those harmed. Political violence against anyone is an attack not just to those in public life, but to the essence of our democracy.

Forward Latino National President Darryl Morin 

"Forward Latino condemns today's attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump, as we condemned the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the countless acts of hate inspired by extreme political rhetoric committed on individuals and families with Hispanic surnames, physical characteristics, or preferred spoken language.  Forward Latino continues to provide emergency assistance to Hispanics who have been attacked in acts of hate.  We invite all true Americans to condemn all forms of political violence regardless of party, race, ethnicity, gender, faith or orientation." 

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki

Please join me in praying for those who were killed and injured at the rally tonight, and for the recovery of former President Trump.

The divisiveness in our country can only be healed by a return to God.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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