Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday said he was shot at during his rally in Pennsylvania and a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. 

In his first statement issued on the social media platform Truth Social, 78-year-old Trump thanked the US Secret Service for saving his life. 

“I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the former president said. 

“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” he said. 

“US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured,” he said, adding that this incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI. 

Trump said nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. 

“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 realised then what was happening. God bless America!” Trump said. 

As the bullet hit his ears, the former president was seen ducking with the secret service surrounding him. He could be heard making a few comments on an audio feed from the stage. Trump said, “Let me get my shoes,” as he was escorted to the safe place. He was seen pumping his fist to the public. 

The shocking incident happened two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally become the party’s nominee. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, eyewitness Colleen Phillips (62) said she was about eight rows from the stage when she heard the sounds of gunfire. “We had a little prayer circle for President Trump,” Phillips said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with people.” Another eyewitness Mark McEvoy (50) said he thought he heard eight to 10 shots. “I saw Trump go down, but then I saw him get up and he raised his hand that he was OK,” McEvoy told the Financial Daily. — PTI

Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump has reacted to her father’s criminal conviction in the ‘hush money trial’ in New York. After the jury found the former US President guilty on all felony charges, Ivanka shared on her Instagram stories a childhood photo of herself sitting in her father’s lap. Alongside the image, she wrote, “I love you dad,” followed by a heart emoji.

“Ivanka is fully supportive of her dad and loves him very much despite his conviction,” revealed a source close to the family to The New York Post.

She has been an integral part of her father’s political journey, having previously served as a senior advisor in the Trump administration and holding the position of Director of the Office of Economic Initiatives and Entrepreneurship. In 2022, Ms Ivanka, amid speculations about her potential involvement in her father’s anticipated 2024 presidential bid, clarified that she would not be entering the political arena this time around. Instead, she would focus on young children and family, she claimed back then.

Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $1,30,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential elections. During the 7-week trial, both Ms Daniels and Mr Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen testified against the president, making shocking allegations. 

The 77-year-old  was accused of covering up a significant sum of money as payment to Ms Daniels to cover up potential sex scandals that could have harmed his 2016 campaign. While Ms Daniels alleged a sexual encounter in 2006 and maintained her account of the incident, the former president vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

After an extended period of deliberation, the jury delivered their verdict at 4:20 pm on Thursday and the Manhattan Supreme Court also delivered its verdict around 5 pm.

Indulging in her love for surfing, Ivanka Trump, daughter of former US President Donald Trump, was seen showing off her incredible wakeboarding skills on Monday. In a new Instagram post, the 41-year-old shared a photo and video of herself riding the waves off the coast of Miami Beach. Meanwhile, her seven-year-old son Theo, who was seated in a boat, watched her with delight. 

For the water sports adventure, the former White House Senior Adviser donned a yellow one-piece swimsuit, black life jacket, and baseball cap, as she enjoyed riding the waves. 

Here’s the post:

Earlier in June, she shared another picture of herself in a black swimsuit, holding a surfboard, and strolling barefoot along the beach in Costa Rica. She shared the picture with the caption ”Soaking up the Summer Solstice.”

Beyond surfing, Ivanka also engages in various other outdoor sports.

Notably, this is the first time she’s posted on Instagram since her father, former President Donald Trump, was arrested on racketeering and conspiracy charges and had his mugshot taken. 

The former President’s daughter has largely remained silent over her father’s recent indictments and mounting legal troubles. She had previously announced that she would not be involved with her father’s 2024 campaign.

“I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena,” she said in her statement. 

Notably, she had spoken out after her father’s first indictment in March 2023, after prosecutors alleged he paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels while he was the presidential candidate in 2016, People reported.

In an Instagram story, she wrote, ”I love my father, and I love my country. Today, I am pained for both. I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.”

Donald Trump, who is running for president in the 2024 election, has already made history as the first former US president to face criminal charges-not once but four times.