Former President Donald Trump secured major endorsements Saturday afternoon after a man who donated to far-left causes shot Trump in the ear during what federal law enforcement officials have officially labeled an assassination attempt.
The suspect — identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks — was shot and killed after he fired multiple rounds at Trump, one of which was literally an inch from being a potentially fatal hit. At least one Trump supporter in the crowd was killed and two more were seriously injured during the attack, the U.S. Secret Service said in a statement.
As shots rang out, Trump grabbed his ear — a journalist captured a photograph of the bullet after it hit Trump and traveled past his head — and Secret Service shouted “Get down! Get down! Get down!”
Trump dropped to the ground as he was tackled by Secret Service until Matthew was neutralized by law enforcement.
Before they moved him off the stage, Trump yelled at the agents: “Wait! Wait! Wait!” Then looking at the thousands of supporters who showed up, he raised his fist and shouted: “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
X owner Elon Musk posted a video of Trump’s remarks to the crowd: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Musk’s endorsement comes after Bloomberg News reported last week that Musk has donated a “sizable amount” of money to a super PAC backing Trump. The amount will not be known until later this week.
Musk also called for “the head of the Secret Service and the leader of this security detail” to resign immediately after they failed to stop the attack.
“Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate,” he added. “Either way, the SS leadership must resign.”
Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who is friends with Musk, posted on X: “I am going to formally endorse @realDonaldTrump . I came to this decision some time ago as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden.”
He said that he would explain his decision in a lengthy post but he hasn’t had time to put together everything that he wants to write.
“I believe the upcoming presidential election is one of the most consequential elections in my lifetime so I am taking the proper time to articulate observations that I will share widely and for which I assume an important responsibility,” he said, adding that people’s perceptions of him have been wildly skewed by a dishonest media.
I am going to formally endorse @realDonaldTrump. I came to this decision some time ago as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden.
The reason why I have not yet formally done so is that I want to explain my…
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 14, 2024
