Trump survives assassination attempt overnight

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt overnight while speaking at a Republican rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump, who is running against President Joe Biden in this November’s presidential election, was addressing a crowd in the city of Butler when the incident happened just before 6.15pm local time.

Trump appeared to have been struck around the area of his right ear and videos circulating online showed him clutching his head, then quickly ducking for cover – along with the others on stage.

The suspected shooter – who the Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination – was shot dead at the scene.

One rally attendee also died in the incident, while  two people were left critically injured.

Trump then stood up with blood on the side of his face and appeared to be saying “fight, fight” while pumping his fist. He  was then quickly escorted from the stage and into his vehicle.

The former president was taken to hospital and has since been related.

 The current president, Joe Biden, said “everybody must condemn political violence” in a speech shortly after the shooting and blamed the “sick” actions of the shooter.

The White House later said the president and Trump had spoken.

Pictured top: Former US president Donald Trump on the 4th hole at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Co. Clare, during his visit to Ireland last year (Picture: PA)