President Donald Trump responded defiantly after a second failed attempt on his life at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was at the club when gunfire erupted, but he assured his supporters of his safety. In a statement released by his campaign, Trump declared, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”
The shooting prompted an immediate response from the Secret Service. The attacker, armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a GoPro camera, aimed at Trump but fled the scene. Authorities from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, located just north of Palm Beach County, later apprehended the suspect. The FBI confirmed its involvement, labeling the event an attempted assassination.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that his agency and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident. CNN reported that law enforcement recovered an AK-47 rifle and a GoPro camera, indicating that the shooter might have intended to record the attack.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the shooting and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. The White House stated that they will continue to receive updates about the situation.
This attack follows a similar incident in July, when Trump was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The previous shooting raised questions about security measures, leading to a resignation within the Secret Service.
The recent incident has intensified concerns about the safety of high-profile figures and the effectiveness of current security protocols. The investigation is ongoing, and Trump’s defiant response highlights his commitment to continuing his campaign despite the threats.
