Dem demands his own party stop ‘hyperbolic threats’ about Trump, the election
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, penned a lengthy thread on X about the hyperbole in American politics, urging politicians to stop framing their opponents as “fascists.”
The vulnerable Democrat congressman took to X to denounce the current path that he says the country is on, adding that leaders need to guide America down a different one.
“We can start by dropping hyperbolic threats about the stakes of this election,” he wrote. “It should not be misleadingly portrayed as a struggle between democracy or authoritarianism or a battle against fascists or socialists bent on destroying America. These are dangerous lies.”
SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND SECURITY FAILURE
Former President Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally on Saturday. Shots were fired around 6 p.m., just minutes after Trump took the stage. Blood could be seen on Trump’s right ear and face as Secret Service agents escorted him from the stage.
Trump was treated for a wound on his ear at a local hospital before returning to his residence in New Jersey. Both the gunman and a rallygoer were killed. Others are injured and receiving care in the hospital.
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Lawmakers quickly issued statements praying for Trump’s safety and that of attendees.
“Following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, we must ask ourselves questions about the future of our country and what we want for ourselves and our children,” Golden wrote on X in a 10-part thread.
GOP PRAYS FOR TRUMP AFTER SHOTS FIRED, FORMER PRESIDENT RUSHED OFF STAGE
“In the pursuit of short-term political gain, they are eager to exaggerate our differences and cast their political opponents as diabolical caricatures bent on destroying the country,” he said in reference to those leading the country.
Per the lawmaker, “The result is an overwhelming sense of fear & anxiety about the future of our country, where the normal and tested tools of democracy no longer seem adequate to protect the common good. In this light, a rise of politically motivated violence in America is sadly unsurprising.”
TRUMP JR SAYS FATHER ‘IN GREAT SPIRITS’ AT HOSPITAL AFTER SHOTS FIRED DURING PA RALLY
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According to the Maine Democrat, it would be “disastrous” to continue this way. Instead, the hyperbole must be stopped, he said, condemning the framing of political opponents as fascists, authoritarians and socialists.
The Democrat is fighting for re-election in a very competitive Maine district in the November election. Nonpartisan political handicapper Cook Political Report rated his seat as a “Democrat Toss Up.”
Social media platform reveals details of would-be Trump assassin’s account
The 20-year-old Pennsylvania man identified as the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Trump on Saturday appeared to have an account on the Discord platform, the company said Sunday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Discord spokesperson said an account that appears to be linked to Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified and removed in accordance with the company’s “off-platform behavior policy.”
“It was rarely utilized, has not been used in months, and we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence, or discuss his political views,” the spokesperson said. “Discord strongly condemns violence of any kind, including political violence, and we will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement.”
Investigators have not disclosed a potential motive for the shooting and have not disclosed if Crooks had any ties to extremist groups.
TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
Crooks reportedly shot Trump from a rooftop perch some 130 yards away during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Trump was shot in the upper right part of his ear while he was speaking to rally goers ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
One attendee was killed, and two others were injured during the incident, the FBI said, and Crooks was shot dead.
The man who died was identified as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania. The second victim was identified as 57-year-old David Dutch, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and the third victim was identified as 74-year-old James Copenhaver, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Both Dutch and Copenhaver were said to be in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
LIVE UPDATES ON DEADLY SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY
Crooks was from Bethel Park, which is a Pittsburgh suburb about an hour south from where the assassination attempt took place.
Crooks was a registered Republican, according to voting records, but he only participated in the Nov. 8, 2022, state election, due to his age.
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Records show that he made a $15 donation to Progressive Turnout Project, a Chicago-based political action committee that supports Democrat candidates for public office and claims to advocate for “key Democratic constituencies: young people, minorities and low-income people.”
Billionaire publicly endorses Trump following assassination attempt
Billionaire Bill Ackman “formally” endorsed President Trump after his attempted assassination in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
More than 19 million people have viewed Ackman’s endorsement post since it went out late Saturday night.
“I came to this decision some time ago as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden,” Ackman said. “The reason why I have not yet formally done so is that I want to explain my thinking in detail and address the arguments put forth by others against Trump.”
Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said it would take a “long-form post” to explain his thinking. He said he did not have the time “nor felt the urgency” to write the post prior to the shooting that took place at a Trump rally that injured the upper part of Trump’s ear, left one rally attendee dead and two spectators critically injured.
FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, FBI IDS SHOOTER AS THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS
Ackman believes the upcoming presidential election is one of the “most consequential” in his lifetime, and says he has spent a few hours recently with Trump. He asked voters to “keep an open mind.” He said a more detailed post explaining his position will come in the future.
In January, Ackman said President Biden was not fit to serve, and called on him to step aside during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawkbox.”
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION SECURITY TIGHTENS FOLLOWING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
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Billionaire Elon Musk also announced that he “fully supports” Trump shortly after the shots rang out in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“All of us have an obligation to stand up and be counted,” Ackman said in a subsequent X post on Sunday.
Democrat responds after staffer’s viral post about Trump assassination attempt
A staff member of Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson is “no longer” in the congressman’s employment after allegedly posting “don’t miss next time,” after the apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump on Saturday evening.
“I was made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer in my employment,” Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson said in a statement.
The post, which has since been deleted, was allegedly posted by Thompson’s now-former field director Jacqueline Marsaw. The post read, “I don’t condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time ooops that wasn’t me talking.”
Trump had just begun speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening when a gunman on a nearby roof outside the venue fired multiple shots toward the stage.
LIVE UPDATES: FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, FBI IDs SHOOTER AS THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS
Trump was seen hitting the deck as Secret Service agents rushed the stage to surround the former president. Moments later, a bloodied Trump stood up and pumped his fist before the agents escorted him off the stage.
At least one rally attendee was killed, and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. The man killed was identified as 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore.
EMOTIONAL GRAHAM DELIVERS MESSAGE OF ‘LOVE’ FOR TRUMP, SAYS US NEEDS ‘SOUL-SEARCHING’
There were multiple calls for Thompson to fire the staffer following the social media post.
Marsaw joined Thompson’s staff in July 2023. She is a native of Natchez, Mississippi, and an alumna of Jackson State University. She served as secretary, vice president and president of her local NAACP and as the former field director for the National Action Network.
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Thompson chairs the Homeland Security Committee. As Trump was on trial in New York City, he introduced legislation to block Secret Service protection for anyone sentenced to prison.
Melania hits home with all Americans after Trump survives assassination attempt
Former first lady Melania Trump has released a statement following the assassination attempt on her husband, former President Trump, at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, blasting the shooter as a “monster” and calling for the country to “reunite.”
She said the gunman was “a monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine” who attempted to “ring out Donald’s passion — his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”
She said she looked on in horror as the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, allegedly tried to take out her husband during the event.
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” Trump wrote, adding that her husband is a generous and caring man.
SHOOTING AT TRUMP RALLY BEING INVESTIGATED AS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
She paid tribute to Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who “risked their own lives” to protect her husband, and honored the victims, including one person who was fatally struck.
“To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.”
BIDEN SPOKE WITH TRUMP FOLLOWING SHOOTING AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
The former first lady has stayed off the campaign trail so far this year but is expected to attend the Republican National Convention this week. Barron Trump appeared at his father’s rally in Doral, Florida, on Tuesday, where he stood for a sustained applause amid praise from his father.
Melania said in her statement that America is a unique nation and that courage and common sense must ascend and “bring us back together as one.”
“I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans,” she wrote.
“Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.”
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She went on to say that the nation must “ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence.”
“We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends.”
“We can realize this world again. Each of us must demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships, again.”
“The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide – thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”
Former NFL player Antonio Brown weighs in after shooting at Trump rally
Reaction from across the sports world poured in during the hours after the shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Former NFL star and current internet provocateur Antonio Brown was one of the sports figures who decided to weigh in.
“Cue up Many Men by 50 and we gonna win the presidency in a landslide F—ing Legend of the Decade,” Brown wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday. Brown’s post received more than 6 million views on X as of Sunday afternoon.
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The outspoken Super Bowl champion previously expressed his support for the former president.
“Yeah, I’ll endorse Trump,” Brown responded in an interview with OutKick when asked if he would back Trump during the upcoming presidential election.
SPORTS STARS REACT TO SHOOTING AT DONALD TRUMP RALLY
Brown has not appeared in an NFL game since 2021, when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A shirtless Brown famously jogged to the stadium tunnel in the third quarter of a game against the New York Jets.
Another high-profile sports figure, four-time NBA champion coach and USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr, also weighed in on what transpired at the political event. Kerr described the shooting as a “demoralizing day for our country.”
“It’s such a demoralizing day for our country, and it’s yet another example of not only our political division but also gun culture,” Kerr said. “A 20-year-old with an AR-15 trying to shoot the former president. It’s hard to process everything, and it’s scary to think about where this goes because of the issues that already exist in the country. So, this is a terrible day.”
Kerr’s father, Malcolm, was assassinated while in Beirut in 1984. He has previously advocated for gun control.
“This is a time where we feel very proud to represent our country wearing USA on our chest, competing in the Olympics,” Kerr said, per ESPN. “We’ve talked to the players about how important it is to show the best version of us as human beings to represent our country in a respectful, dignified manner. It makes you want to do that even more so, because this is really shameful for us to sit here and think about what happened and what’s going on in our country.”
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Kerr and the U.S. men’s national team are in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as they continue preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Pennsylvania State Police provide update about victims of Trump rally shooting
The Pennsylvania State Police released the names of the three attendees shot during the attempted assassination of former President Trump at Saturday’s rally in Butler County.
The deceased victim was identified as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania.
The second victim was identified as 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, who is listed in stable condition. The third victim was identified as 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania; he is also listed in stable condition.
“I am sure everyone has seen the news and are appalled at how divided we have become. Well, it has finally hit home to the League. It is with great sadness that I report that one of the civilians shot at the rally was one of our own,” Matt Popovich, District 8 vice commandant of the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania Inc. wrote in a post on Facebook.
TRUMP’S SURVIVAL WAS ‘MIRACULOUS’ GIVEN BULLET’S PROXIMITY TO HIS BRAIN, DOCTOR SAYS
“Commandant David Dutch of Westmoreland County is in critical condition. He was shot in the liver and chest. He has had one surgery and is undergoing another this morning. He is currently in an induced coma. Please keep him and his family in your prayers,” Popovich continued.
TRUMP RALLY VICTIM IDENTIFIED AS COREY COMPERATORE, ‘HERO’ SHIELDED WIFE AND GIRLS FROM BULLETS
When Fox News Digital reached out to the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania Inc., they declined to comment.
“These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” said Col. Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police commissioner. “The Pennsylvania State Police continue to work tirelessly alongside our federal, state and local partners as this investigation continues.”
WHO WAS THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S ATTEMPTED ASSASSIN
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered U.S. and state flags on all state facilities, public buildings and grounds to fly at half-staff in Comperatore’s honor.
Comperatore, 50, was a former fire chief for Buffalo Township, a volunteer fire service, local news station WPXI reported.
Shapiro said on Sunday he spoke with Comperatore’s wife, who noted that he was a man of faith.
“We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night,” Shapiro said at a news conference. “Corey Comperatore was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community, and most especially, Corey loved his family. Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community.”
During Sunday’s press conference, Shapiro called on Americans to come together in prayer and to retreat from hate and malice.
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“This is a moment where all of us have a responsibility to take down the temperature, rise above the hateful rhetoric that exists, and search for a better, brighter future for this nation. I ask that you join Lori and me in prayer for the two Pennsylvanians still in critical condition, for the family of Corey Comperatore, and for former President Donald Trump,” Shapiro said.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt.