Campaign

Trump plans to be in Milwaukee for convention after shooting

Former President Trump arrives on-stage to address the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Top Trump aides said the former president will still attend the Republican convention scheduled for next week in Wisconsin after a shooting at his campaign rally on Saturday night.

“As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action,” Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again,” they added.

The convention is scheduled to begin Monday, and Trump is scheduled to formally accept his party’s nomination and deliver remarks on Thursday night.

Trump was on stage for just a short time at a rally in Butler, Pa., before gunshots rang out and Secret Service agents stormed the stage. Trump’s ear was bloodied, and some blood had run onto his face.

The former president pumped his first toward the crowd as he was escorted away by law enforcement.

Trump posted on Truth Social roughly two-and-a-half hours after the shooting took place, thanking law enforcement, expressing his condolences for the attendee who was killed and confirming he was shot in the ear.

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,” Trump posted. “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

The identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown.

President Biden has condemned the shooting and called on others to do the same. Biden said he tried to speak with Trump on the phone and hoped to do so on Saturday night.