Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity, his campaign and U.S. Secret Service announced on Sunday with no further details provided.
The incident took place at Trump International Golf Course where the former president was golfing, according to the White House.
“The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m.,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office would “have more details soon.” A news conference with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw is scheduled for later this afternoon.
Along with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland also has been briefed on the security incident at the Trump golf course, the Justice Department said in a statement. Biden is monitoring the situation and is receiving regular updates.
Trump allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said they spoke with Trump on Sunday, and the incident will not deter his quest to win the 2024 election.
“He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known,” Graham posted on X, noting he’d just spoke with the former president. “He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”
CNN reported Trump was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach when the shooting occurred.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said based on information from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, deputies had stopped a vehicle at Interstate 95 and State Road 714 and taken a suspect into custody “believed to be connected to a shooting incident at Trump International in Palm Beach County.”
Trump: ‘I am safe and well’
In a fundraising email sent out roughly an hour after the incident, Trump said there were gunshots in his vicinity, “but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I am safe and well!”
Kamala Harris: ‘I am glad he is safe’
Vice President Kamala Harris said she has been briefed about shots being fired near Trump and his property in Florida, adding she is glad he is safe.
“Violence has no place in America,” she said.
Hannity: Trump wanted to finish golfing
Fox News host Sean Hannity has developed a close relationship with Trump and conveyed having a brief conversation with the GOP nominee on Sunday. He joined a live broadcast after speaking with the former president.
Trump checked to see if others were OK, Hannity said, but then joked about wanting to finish the round.
“I guess in typical, ‘fight, fight, fight’ fashion Trump said… ‘I really wanted to finish the hole,'” Hannity said.
White House has been briefed on incident
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed about the incident. security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing.
“They are relieved to know that he is safe,” the statement said. “They will be kept regularly updated by their team.”
When was Donald Trump last attacked?
This incident occurs two months after the former president was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13. That incident has sparked an investigation and caused the resignation of then Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who had led the agency since 2022.
In the subsequent weeks, Trump has increased security at his events with him often speaking behind bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies.