Trump himself posted a statement on his Truth Social page at 8:42 p.m., saying: "I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.

"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman said the former president "is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility."

The person believed to be the shooter is dead. One spectator at the rally has been killed, and a second is in serious condition, according to the Butler County district attorney.

NBC News reported: “Trump was about six minutes into his speech when he reached for the side of his face as popping sounds rang out over the rally. He then crouched down as Secret Service agents rushed the stage and surrounded him. He was quickly escorted into a vehicle, walking off the stage with agents on all sides.

"Trump pumped his fists in the air as he was escorted off of the stage. The crowd cheered as the former president raised his arms.

"Reporters on the scene saw smoke and heard what they initially thought were fireworks before everyone ducked and law enforcement encircled Trump."

At a briefing Saturday evening from Maryland, Joe Biden was asked if he thought this was an assassination attempt on Trump. He responded: "I have an opinion but I don't have any facts."

Biden issued a statement earlier online, indicating:

"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania.

"I'm grateful to hear that he's safe and doing well. I'm praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.

Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

"I am not shocked by this," former FBI agent Nicole Parker said on Fox News.

"Trump Derangement Syndrome is real. … People will do anything they have to to take him out."

One woman at the scene told Fox News: "God gets all the glory that Trump was protected."

Just five days ago, Joe Biden stated in a conference call to major donors"it's time to put Trump in a bull's-eye."

"I'm abstolutely certain I'm the best person to be able to do that. So, we're done talking about the debate. It's time to put Trump in a bull's-eye."

Former President Barack Obama reacted to the incident, saying: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

Mark Stone, a U.S. correspondent for Sky News, said of the incident, “You can hear as he begins the speech a few shots.

"He then appears to put his hand up towards his ear and then gets down on the ground. It will be standard procedure for someone who's been president, a former president, someone of this stature. They will have been told, there will be a procedure of what to do if this sort of thing happens.

"From what I can gather from looking at the footage, the shots seem to have come from the left-hand side as you look at him, because people are looking over to that side."

"This is an extraordinary moment. It is many, many years since an assassination attempt, if this is what it turns out to be, on a president.

"Ronald Reagan – there was an assassination attempt on him in the 80s – in Washington, D.C., in the Hilton Hotel. This is developing and it is incredibly serious."

Elon Musk took to X to say: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."

Donald Trump Jr. said: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America ”

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose father was assassinated during the 1968 race for the White House, said: “Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.”