Donald Trump’s Family, MAGA Allies React After Assassination Attempt

Former President Donald Trump’s family and allies reacted on social media after an apparent assassination attempt of the Republican nominee near Trump National Golf Club on Sunday.
Around 1:30 p.m. ET, multiple shots were fired near the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, was golfing.
According to the Associated Press, a Secret Service agent opened fire at a suspected person with a weapon while the former president was golfing. A suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, is now in custody, the AP reported.
An AK-style firearm, along with a GoPro camera and a backpack, were recovered Sunday near Trump’s golf course, according to law enforcement. The gunman allegedly came within 500 yards of the former president.
In a statement to Newsweek on Sunday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wrote: “The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
Roughly two months ago, Trump was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear.
Fox News host Sean Hannity, a friend of the former president, said Sunday on the air that he had spoken to Trump and his golfing companion, real estate magnate Steve Witkoff. Both described the incident to Hannity.
Hannity said Witkoff and Trump described hearing a “pop, pop, pop, pop” sound, while golfing on the fifth hole of his course.
“Within seconds, the Secret Service pounced on the president [and] covered him,” Hannity said on Fox News.
Following the reports, Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted on X, formerly Twitter, “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.”
Eric Trump, the former president’s middle son, posted on X, “Serious change is needed…”
Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Trump’s running mate, posted on X, “I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits. Still much we don’t know, but I’ll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and a close Trump ally, posted on X, “President Trump is safe and sound after ANOTHER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT!!! Thank God!!! 🙏 They are trying to kill him!!! They will do anything to stop him from winning.”
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on X, “Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”
Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk posted on X, “They tried to kill Trump again.”
Later on Sunday, Kirk posted to X, “We never got the full story from Butler, so why should we expect to get the full story from this?”
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said in a post on X: “I’ve reached out to President@realDonaldTrump and just spoke with@PBCountySheriff Ric Bradshaw about the assassination attempt. God bless our law enforcement. The vile rhetoric toward Trump is dangerous and must stop.”
Trump was back at Mar-a-Lago as of 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, according to a person familiar with the events who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, said in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon.
Trump released a statement of his own Sunday afternoon and wrote, “I am Donald J. Trump. FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God! But there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us. I will not stop fighting for you. I will Never Surrender! I will always love you for supporting me. Through our Unity we will Make America Great Again!”
Update: 9/15/24, 6:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.