President Donald Trump issued a strong statement of defiance after a second failed assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was at the club when gunshots rang out, but he assured his supporters that he was unharmed. “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!” Trump declared in a campaign statement.
Trump remained defiant after the attempt on his life, declaring, “I will never surrender!”
The incident unfolded when a gunman, armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a GoPro camera, targeted Trump’s location. The Secret Service responded by returning fire. The suspect fled but was later apprehended by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, located just north of Palm Beach County. The FBI has confirmed its involvement, labeling the situation as an attempted assassination.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi noted that the agency, alongside the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the shooting. CNN reported that law enforcement recovered a backpack and a rifle described as an AK-47. A GoPro camera found at the scene suggested that the shooter intended to record the incident.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the situation and expressed relief that Trump was safe. The White House stated they would be kept updated on the matter.
This incident follows a similar attack in July, when Trump survived a shooting during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Questions about law enforcement’s handling of the previous incident continue, highlighting ongoing concerns about security measures for high-profile figures.
