'Let me get my shoes': Mic captures Trump's immediate reaction after assassination attempt at rally
Trigger Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: A microphone at former president Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally captured his immediate reaction after the gunshots were fired at him that grazed his right ear.
Five minutes into the Republican presumptive nominee's speech in Butler Pennysylvania on Saturday, July 13, several gunshots were heard, and Trump immediately ducked to the ground, touching his wounded ear. Secret Service swarmed the ex-president and rushed him off stage to the motorcade.
A video aired by MSNBC included the audio of Trump's conversation with the Secret Service, who surrounded him on stage, according to Mediaite.
Donald Trump wanted to get his shoes as Secret Service urged him to get off stage
"Go, go, go," agents were heard saying as they covered the former president. "What are we doing?" the audio continued.
A few minutes later, another agent said, "When you're ready. On you." "Move!" one shouted. "Shooter's down. Move."
BREAKING: The Trump campaign states Former President Trump "is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility." The Secret Service states this is "now an active Secret Service investigation." pic.twitter.com/bR8tZyASnL
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 13, 2024
As they lifted Trump from the ground, he could be heard saying, "Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes!"
One agent said, "We've got you, sir," while another added, "Hold onto your head; it's bloody."
"Wait, wait," disheveled Trump, with blood on his face, said before showing his fist to the raucous crowd and chanting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
BREAKING: The Trump campaign states Former President Trump "is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility." The Secret Service states this is "now an active Secret Service investigation." pic.twitter.com/bR8tZyASnL
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 13, 2024
The real estate mogul later revealed in a Truth Social post that the bullet pressed the upper side of his right ear.
"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound and shots and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Trump wrote.
Suspected shooter killed by Secret Service
The federal officials confirmed that the shooter was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania. He was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper shortly after. Besides the shooter, a rally attendee was also dead, and two were critically injured.
The FBI, along with the Secret Service and state and local agencies, have begun a probe, deeming it an attempted assassination.
A witness said to BBC that he saw a man with a rifle "bear crawled" on the roof of a building located near the rally venue. The attendee, Greg Smith, tried to alert the authorities, but they were unable to spot the suspect before the shots were fired.
President Joe Biden released a statement shortly after the attempted assassination against Trump. Stating he was grateful for his Republican opponent's safety, the POTUS added, "I'm praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information." Speaking to reports at the White House, he condemned the violence, asserting it was "sick."
James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, also announced an investigation into the event and a public hearing with the US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
The shocking turn of events at the Pennsylvania rally took place with only two days left for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where the ex-president would be nominated as the GOP presidential candidate.
