Donald Trump was confirmed safe after gunshots were reported near him on Sunday afternoon in Florida, according to his campaign and the Secret Service. (Image: REUTERS) (Reuters file)
The shooting outside Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach comes roughly two months after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Boulder, Pennsylvania.
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump is “safe” following gunshots reported outside his golf course in Florida on Sunday afternoon, two months after the assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania’s Boulder.
The campaign did not immediately provide any additional details. It was not immediately clear whether the reported shots were targeted at the Republican presidential nominee.
The US Secret Service said it was investigating the incident, which occurred shortly before 2 p.m.
The White House in a statement said that US President Joe Biden and US Vice-President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris were briefed about the security incident near Trump’s golf course.
“The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe,” the White House said in a statement.
The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe. @pbso will have more details soon. pic.twitter.com/yWNvvKD3IC— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) September 15, 2024
Campaign communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was safe.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” said a statement from his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.
The news comes roughly two months after the Republican presidential nominee was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13.
Donald Trump’s Son Reacts
Reacting to the incident, Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. wrote “again folks” on his X account, apparently linking it with the Pennsylvania assassination attempt.
“Again folks! SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement. The Trump campaign has released a statement confirming former President Trump is safe. A suspect has reportedly been apprehended,” Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. said in a social media post.
Again folks!SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement. The Trump campaign has released a statement confirming former President Trump is safe.
A suspect has reportedly been apprehended. pic.twitter.com/FwRfrO3v6y
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 15, 2024
Meanwhile, the US Secret Service, which provides security to former and current US presidents, said it is investigating the incident. “The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 pm. The former president is safe,” US broadcaster CNN said citing people familiar with the developments.
Trump had returned to Florida this weekend from a West Coast swing that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a Utah fundraiser.
A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation said officials were trying to determine whether the shots were fired near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course or on the grounds. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Trump often spends the morning playing golf, before having lunch at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, which is one of three he owns in the state.
Trump has had a stepped-up security footprint since the assassination attempt in July. When he has been at Trump Tower in New York, a lineup of dump trucks have parked in a wall outside the building. And at outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind an enclosure of bulletproof glass.