Florida Republicans and Democrats expressed bipartisan outrage, defiance, and resolve after what was an apparent attempt to assassinate Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, July 13.
An initial statement from the Trump campaign thanked the first responders who rushed to the former president’s aid.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” said Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesperson.
Trump walked off the stage, fist raised, and shouting to the crowd. Secret Service agents assisted him into an SUV. An official on-site said the suspected shooter and at least two others were dead, Fox News reported.
BREAKING: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who is on the short list of those being considered by the GOP presumptive nominee for the vice president spot on the ticket running mate, wrote that: “God protected President Trump.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis are “praying for Donald Trump and his family.”
The Republican Party of Florida posted a photo of Trump, bleeding from his right ear, with his fist in the air and “TRUMP STONG” in white, capital letters above the frame.
“This will not stop us. We will prevail! We will Make America Great Again. #TrumpStrong,” read the text along with the image.
More reactions to Trump incident at Pennsylvania rally
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said he was “praying” for Trump and everyone who attended the event.
“This was clearly an assassination attempt on President Trump. I’m glad he seems okay, and I am praying for him and all who were at the rally,” Scott wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “There is ZERO tolerance for violence. I hope this monster is already caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Scott also demanded answers from the head of the Secret Service.
“I am so thankful for the heroic agents who rushed in to protect President Trump. They are heroes!” he wrote. “The Director of the Secret Service needs to come out ASAP and let us know how this happened and how everyone at the RNC and DNC conventions will be safe.”
Congressman Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican, wrote: “Pray for President Trump. Pray for the Trump family. Pray for our nation. Together we will prevail.”
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Pensacola, posted the same photo with a statement reading: “America is praying for President Trump. We will overcome and DEFEAT EVIL! NEVER SURRENDER!”
State Republican chairman Evan Power issued a statement that lashed out at Democrats he said are dividing the nation. “Our prayers are with President Trump and his family. Our country is as divided as ever because radical Democrats hate the thought of a strong America. We stand united. We stand for making America great again. We need President Trump back in office now more than ever!”
Carlos Curbelo, a former Republican congressman from Miami and now a network commentator, said Trump was the apparent target but not the only “victim” in the violence.
“Easy for some to try to extract political gain from this tragic situation,” he wrote. “Mr. Trump is the victim today but the idea of America is also a victim and it has been further weakened. If we continue on this path, in the end we all lose. All of humanity loses. Today we all lost.”
But Democrats also offered messages of concern and condemned the violent attack.
State Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, also decried the violence.
“America has to be better than this,” she wrote on X. “This is wrong on so many levels. President Lincoln cautioned us to remember the better angels of our natures.”
She added in a subsequent post: “No matter what side of the political divide we are on, this is unacceptable. We have to be bigger than our disagreements. We are all Americans. Violence is not the answer. I feel for everyone in this arena today, and am hoping for the safety of former president Trump.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava wrote: “The news of former President Donald Trump being attacked is reprehensible. Regardless of your beliefs, this kind of attack goes against the very foundation of what our country stands for and the values we hold dear. Praying for the safety of the former President and his family.”