Gunshots were reported outside Donald Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday afternoon, just two months after the former president survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. The former president and current Republican presidential candidate was declared “safe” following the incident, with the U.S. Secret Service currently investigating.
The shooting occurred shortly before 2 p.m. at Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, while Trump was reportedly golfing. Details on the motive or whether Trump was directly targeted remain unclear. The U.S. Secret Service, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is leading the investigation into what has been described as a “protective incident.”
The Trump campaign was quick to issue a statement. Campaign communications director Steven Cheung confirmed Trump’s safety, saying, “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”
White House Response
In an official statement, the White House confirmed that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed on the situation. “The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe,” read the statement.
Trump’s Son Reacts
Donald Trump Jr. reacted swiftly on social media, referencing the July assassination attempt on his father. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “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.”
Recent Assassination Attempt in Pennsylvania
The gunfire incident comes just two months after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Boulder, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Trump sustained injuries during that event, and since then, security has been tightened around him, particularly at public appearances and rallies.
His heightened security measures include bulletproof enclosures at outdoor rallies and increased protections at his properties, including Trump Tower in New York, where a lineup of dump trucks has been used to block access in recent months.
Investigation Ongoing
While it remains uncertain whether the gunfire was directed at Trump or merely occurred in the vicinity of the golf course, authorities are treating the situation with the utmost seriousness. A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that efforts are underway to determine if the shots were fired on or near the grounds of Trump’s West Palm Beach course.
Trump returned to Florida this weekend after a busy schedule that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a fundraising event in Utah. He frequently spends his mornings playing golf before having lunch at the West Palm Beach club, which is one of three he owns in the state.
The incident marks another potential threat to Trump’s safety as he remains a prominent figure in the 2024 Republican presidential race. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as law enforcement continues to gather information.
