Donald Trump will travel to the Republican National Convention on Sunday as he originally planned despite an assassination attempt, as he insisted people must remain “defiant in the face of wickedness”.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days,” the former US president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He added: “But have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter’, or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else.
“Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3.30pm today.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he was “appalled” by the attack on the former US president and spoke to him on Sunday afternoon, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “very upset” but “not shocked”.
The PA news agency understands Sir Keir condemned the violence, expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, and wished Mr Trump and those injured a quick recovery.
Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump thanked well-wishers and said “it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening”.
“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.”
He added: “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.
“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.
“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT”
His wife, former US first lady Melania Trump, said: “When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s (the couple’s son) life, were on the brink of devastating change.”
Mrs Trump said she was “grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives”.
She added: “A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.
“The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine.”
Mr Farage said he would “almost certainly would have been” at Saturday’s rally in Pennsylvania if he had not won his Clacton seat at the General Election and now planned to travel to the US for the 2024 Republican National Convention as a “show of friendly solidarity” with Mr Trump, who he considers a friend.
US President Joe Biden, addressing his country on Sunday evening, said he has directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, scheduled to begin on Monday.
Photographs have shown the bloodied former US president defiantly pumping his fist in the air after shots were fired at a campaign rally in Butler.
Mr Trump, who was “safe” according to a spokesman, said on his Truth Social media platform that a bullet had “pierced” his ear before he was dragged to the ground by Secret Service agents.
One person at the rally was killed and two other spectators were critically injured, authorities said.
All were identified as men.
The dead man was later named as Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said: “Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night.”
The suspected gunman, who attacked from an “elevated position” outside the rally venue, was fatally shot.
Asked how he felt after the shooting, Reform UK leader Mr Farage told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I was very upset and I’m still upset.
“I’m obviously pleased that my friend Donald has got away with it, only just, but he’s got away with it.
“But one person is dead.
“Two more are fighting for their lives in hospital so it’s an absolutely horrendous incident and yet somehow I’m not shocked by it.
“The narrative that is put out there about Trump by the liberals that oppose him is so nasty, so unpleased, that I think it almost encourages this type of behaviour.”
Mr Farage told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that he had sent a text message to the former president.
The Prime Minister said: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”
Conservative leader Rishi Sunak said: “Horrified by the attack in Pennsylvania.
“In a democracy, you must be able to speak freely and stand for what you believe in.
“Violence and intimidation must never be allowed to prevail.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Government “condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest terms”.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “As we monitor the shocking developments in Pennsylvania, our thoughts and best wishes are with President Trump – along with every victim and their families.”
Former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson said it was “a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: “We must all condemn this appalling attempt on Donald Trump’s life.”
Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who frequently clashed with Mr Trump over their political differences, told PA he was “shocked” at the news of the shooting.
He added: “There is no place for violence in politics or in mainstream society.
“Donald Trump is standing to be the president, you may disagree with his policies but nobody should be turning that into violence – just thank God he’s survived.”
Mr Trump was showing a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing out after 6.10pm local time.
The former president could be seen grimacing and reaching with his right hand towards the side of his head before blood appeared on his face.
He ducked and was surrounded by Secret Service agents, before rising to his feet and pumping his fist in the air, to cheers from the crowd.
The FBI named 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman.
A motive has not yet been identified, but authorities are treating the shooting as an assassination attempt.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident and spoke to Mr Trump several hours after the shooting, the White House confirmed.
He called the shooting “sick”, adding: “There’s no place in America for this type of violence.”
It was the most serious attempt to assassinate a US president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.