Former President Donald Trump is safe following gunfire near his Florida golf club, his campaign confirmed after a shooting incident occurred on Sunday. According to law enforcement sources, Secret Service agents saw a man pointing a rifle at the Trump International Golf Course, where Trump was reportedly present at the time.
Agents immediately responded by firing multiple shots at the suspect, who attempted to flee the scene. The suspect was later apprehended, and a weapon was recovered.
In an email to his supporters, Trump reassured everyone of his safety, stating, “I am safe and well after gunshots in my vicinity. Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender!”
The incident, which took place just before 14:00 EST (19:00 BST), has sparked an ongoing investigation by the Secret Service. They confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that they were examining the “protective incident” involving Trump.
This is not the first time Trump has faced such danger. Nearly two months ago, on July 13, 2024, a gunman attempted to assassinate the former president at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, used an AR-15–style rifle and fired from a nearby rooftop. The attack resulted in the death of an audience member, but Crooks was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper on the scene. Trump, who was struck in the ear during the incident, sustained minor injuries. The event triggered widespread criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of the situation, leading to the resignation of the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, just two weeks later.
As news of the latest incident spread, the White House confirmed that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed. “They are relieved to know that he is safe,” a statement from the White House read, adding that both leaders would be regularly updated on the situation. Vice President Harris took to social media, stating, “Violence has no place in America. I am relieved that former President Trump is unharmed.”
Further details regarding the shooting remain under investigation, and authorities, including the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, are working alongside the Secret Service to gather more information. So far, no reports have been issued regarding the suspect’s identity or potential motives.
Trump’s team has not commented further on the details of the Florida incident, but the former president remains defiant, signaling that such threats will not deter his ongoing political activities. The shooting comes amid an increasingly polarized political environment, where the safety of public figures remains a significant concern for security agencies across the country.
With the 2024 presidential elections fast approaching, this incident underscores the heightened risks faced by candidates and political leaders. Trump’s resilience, as demonstrated in his response to this and past events, continues to be a core part of his public persona. As the investigation unfolds, further updates are expected from law enforcement, providing more clarity on the suspect and how the situation was resolved.
For now, Trump’s supporters and political opponents alike are focused on his safety, while questions linger about the ongoing threats posed to public figures in such a charged political climate.
