A Trump supporter says he and others spotted the attempted assassin of former President Donald Trump on a nearby rooftop minutes before shots rang out at a Trump rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. He and others, he said, tried to get the attention of law enforcement. Greg Smith, speaking to the BBC, expressed shock that law enforcement seemed confused and didn’t appear to follow up on their alerts. “I’m thinking to myself ‘Why is Trump still speaking, why have they not pulled him off the stage,'” Smith said. “The next thing you know, five shots ring out.” Smith was listening to Trump from just outside the rally and said he saw the shooter “bear-crawl” to the top of a building. “We noticed the guy bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50ft away,” he said. “He had a rifle, we could clearly see a rifle.” “We’re pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground, we’re like, ‘Hey man, there’s a guy on the roof with a rifle,'” Smith recalled. “The police did not know what was going on.” A bullet zipped by Trump’s face during the rally, piercing the upper part of his right ear, and Secret Service rushed in to surround and protect the former president. After the attempt on his life, a bloodied Trump brushed off the agents, threw his fist in the air, and repeatedly shouted, “Fight!” His supporters broke out in a “U-S-A” chant. Smith called the shooting a “security failure.” “Why is there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here?” he posed. “This is not a big place. “[It’s a] security failure, 100% security failure.” WATCH: Witness says he saw gunman on the roof near President Donald J Trump rally. A man with a rifle was seen on a rooftop minutes before shots were fired at President Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, a witness has told the BBC. Greg Smith said the man had crawled on top of a… pic.twitter.com/MrHSO8BbIs — Paul Harvey Predicts ??NZ (@HicksKiwi) July 14, 2024 In a post to Truth Social on Sunday morning, Trump said that God saved his life and called on Americans to “stand united” and fight against evil. “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” he wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.” “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump added. Related: ‘We Will FEAR NOT’: Trump Releases New Statement, Says ‘God Alone’ Saved Him

Megyn Kelly said that former President Donald Trump “needs to win this election” — because it’s no longer about him, “it’s about us” — following the assassination attempt on his life on Saturday at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. During the special coverage of “The Megyn Kelly Show” podcast, the host said that she believes Trump will win in November, because “I am now one of the people who will walk over broken glass to make sure I cast my vote. And I know it won’t be alone.”  “I think now you are going to see formerly blue states rush to pull the lever for Donald Trump,” Kelly said. “I thought it was bad before tonight, and I think my fellow Americans will understand how important it is to send a message loud and clear to the people who want to change our country that we won’t allow it; that we are not going to lose sight of one another; that we are not going to continue trying to ruin each other, end each other.” “And after Mr. Trump was removed in ‘The Beast’ and two of his most ardent fans were shot dead or within an inch of their life, the American flag still waved,” she added. “The remnants at the site scattered the ground. And yet much like 9/11, after it was all over, the American flag still waved over the now empty area.” pic.twitter.com/JuW0XoKyfN — J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) July 13, 2024 “That is what it is all about. Our flag was still there. We are still with each other…Our patriotism must be reignited and, yes, our understanding that there is humanity on both sides,” Kelly continued. “The hard partisan loons who have been behind the rhetoric we have discussed tonight do not represent either side.” Kelly concluded her coverage by explaining why “President Trump needs to win this election. Period.” “It’s not about him anymore. It’s about us,” the host said. “So, I hope you’ll vote, I hope you’ll vote Republican, and I hope you’ll say a prayer for President Trump and his family and, indeed, for President Biden and our elected leaders. Thank you for being with me tonight. God bless you, and God bless America.” Following the shooting, Trump released a statement thanking “the United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response.” “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 added. “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,” Trump continued. “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!” Related: Kid Rock Says ‘You F*** With Trump, You ‘F*** With Me’ After Assassination Attempt

A gunman attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, grazing Trump’s right ear with a round before the former president was whisked away by Secret Service. Trump put out a statement on social media on Sunday urging Americans to “stand United” and not allow “Evil to Win.” “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.” Law enforcement returned fire at the gunman immediately after the first shots rang out. The gunman was killed, according to law enforcement. At least one rally-goer was killed and two others wounded. “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families,” Trump continued. “We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.” The event sent a shockwave through the U.S. Follow along for the latest updates below: Trump authorized a fundraiser for the rally-goer killed during the attempted assassination. The GoFundMe, promoted by Donald Trump Jr., has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars toward supporting the family of the victim. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy donated $30,000 to the cause. Trump Authorizes Fundraiser For Supporter Killed During Assassination Attempt. It’s Exploded In Donations. Leaders from around the world expressed shock at the attempted assassination and put out statements in support of Trump and wished him a speedy recovery. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argentina President Javier Milei, and others reacted to the shooting, decrying political violence. World Leaders Express Shock, Stand With Trump Following Assassination Attempt Law enforcement rapidly began an investigation into the shooter, who the FBI has identified as 20-year old male named Thomas Matthew Crooks. Police raided the Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, home of Crooks on Saturday night, according to neighbors. Federal Election Commission records show Crooks to be a donor to ActBlue, the progressive donation clearinghouse. Police Ransack Home Of 20-Year Old Suspected Shooter, Who Donated To Liberal Org On Biden’s Inauguration Day This story will be updated as new details are made available. Please refresh the page for the latest news.

'He was a hero that shielded his daughters'

The Black Eyed Peas were formed in Los Angeles in 1995. Originally established as an alternative hip-hop group that drew heavily on jazz and soul influences, they evolved into a more mainstream pop and dance-oriented ensemble. The group was founded by will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and they achieved breakout success with the addition of singer Fergie in 2002. Their album Elephunk (2003) included hits like “Where Is the Love?” and “Let’s Get It Started,” propelling them to international fame. This success was followed by Monkey Business (2005), The E.N.D. (2009), and The Beginning (2010), with tracks topping charts worldwide. The The post Complete List Of Black Eyed Peas Band Members appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

Nikki Haley to Speak at RNC

In the immediate aftermath of an attempted assassination of the former President of the United States and certain 2024 Republican nominee, some in the press are abandoning calls to “lower the temperature” of the post-shooting rhetoric, and have begun to blame Trump for getting himself shot. Watch ABC’s Martha Raddatz as she does precisely that on ABC This Week: ABC THIS WEEK 7/14/24 9:15 AM MARTHA RADDATZ: Also, George, we have to point out: no matter who the shooter -- what the shooter's motives were, no matter who the shooter is, you are going to hear conspiracy theories going forward. GEORGE STEHANOPOULOS: No question about that. But as you point out, the statements from JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy. Of course, President Trump and his supporters have contributed to this violent rhetoric as well. RADDATZ: We were just looking back at some of the things that former President Trump has said. He warned last March of potential death and destruction if he were charged by the Manhattan District Attorney, “our country is being destroyed as they tell us to be peaceful”. Trump in January warned of bedlam in the county if the criminal charges against him succeeded. And, of course, in March he said “ now, if I don't get elected it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole- that’s going to be the least of it, it's going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it.” He said he was partly joking and that that was taken out of context but those are, indeed, his words. And you have heard it from supporters as well and supporters are certainly, in some parts, angry. And let's remember January 6th. In so many ways for the campaign, January 6th will probably be in the background after yesterday's event. This is a very difficult time for this campaign. I'm sure, this week in Milwaukee, that President Trump will highlight this, and President Biden is going to have to figure out how to go forward with his campaign and what exactly they say.  STEPHANOPOULOS: Martha Raddatz, thanks very much. The media rushed into self-preservation and exculpation modes, not heeding calls to tone things down. Stephanopoulos, in his first appearance on This Week since getting in trouble for offhand remarks about the state of the Biden campaign, set Raddatz up by attempting to both-sides the rhetoric leading up to the shooting. In so doing, Stephanopoulos ignores HIS OWN incendiary rhetoric, as exemplified by the screechy editorial he gave citing “the stakes” of this election, which included a callback to the Civil War. Somehow, that didn’t make it into the call for restraint. Which brings us to Raddatz. That entire recitation was disgusting, especially the January 6th reference. But that pales in comparison to the resuscitation of the broadly debunked “Bloodbath Hoax”, which Raddatz herself helped spread at the time along with the rest of the media.  The entirety of the media KNEW that the remarks were made in reference to what might happen to the domestic auto industry in the event of a Biden re-election, but went ahead and screeched “political violence” to the American public. Raddatz knew better THEN, and certainly knew better this morning, but chose to rehash that hoax despite the clear context of Trump’s remarks being a matter of record. Absolutely disgusting. There can and will be no full “cooling down” of the rhetoric until the media acknowledge their own role in building up to the moment wherein a deranged 20-year-old took it upon himself to take matters into his own hands. Scream “threat to democracy” and “American Hitler” enough, and somebody’s going to heed the call.  

The suspect in the attempted assassination Saturday of former President Donald Trump used a gun his father purchased, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing individuals familiar with the investigation.A Secret Service sniper killed 20-year-old suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, officials told CBS News, which added that multiple law enforcement sources said the gunman was armed with a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle and opened fire from a shed's roof outside the cordoned-off rally area.'We do not currently have an identified motive,' Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, said at a briefing late Saturday night, according to CBS News.ABC News, citing multiple law enforcement sources, reported that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted an urgent trace and found the suspect's father legally purchased the gun recovered at the scene. Reuters said Crooks' father — 53-year-old Matthew Crooks — told CNN he was trying to figure out what happened and would wait until he spoke to law enforcement before speaking about his son.Trump survived the shooting but was seen on video bleeding from his ear after which Secret Service whisked him away from the rally stage. Officials said one audience member was killed and two were in critical condition. CBS News, citing police, said the victims were all men, but their names haven't been released.The FBI said Crooks is from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, CBS News noted. Bethel Park is about a half hour south of Pittsburgh and just over an hour south of Butler where the rally took place. The Washington Post reported that authorities by early Sunday had "sealed off the area around the alleged shooter’s home. Local fire department vehicles blocked access for several blocks, allowing only residents and investigators to enter."The Secret Service and FBI are speaking with the suspect's family, the FBI has secured his home, and federal law enforcement is searching it, CBS News said, citing a law enforcement official. CNN, citing multiple law enforcement sources, reported that the suspect had explosive material inside his car and residence.Fox News, citing voting records, reported that Thomas Matthew Crooks was a registered Republican, adding that he only took part in the Nov. 8, 2022, state election due to his age. Reuters — citing a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing — added that Crooks at age 17 made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a "political action committee that raises money for left-leaning and Democratic politicians." The outlet added that the donation was for the Progressive Turnout Project, a national group that rallies Democrats to vote. Reuters reported that the groups didn't immediately respond to request for comment.More from Fox News:Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. He was one of nearly two dozen students from the school to earn a $500 "star award" from the National Math and Science Initiative.An online recording of his graduation ceremony shows him walking the stage to minimal applause and briefly posing with a school official, the New York Times reported.A search by Fox News Digital revealed Crooks would have turned 21 years old this September. He had no reported criminal or traffic citations and no reported bankruptcies, liens or foreclosures."We do not currently have an identified motive," Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, said at a briefing late Saturday night, according to CBS News.A law enforcement official said early Sunday that there are so far no known foreign terrorism ties, the suspect was not on law enforcement's radar, and authorities are still running down his name, CBS News added. The FBI's statement on Crooks also said "this remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

'This Is Sick'! ABC's 'This Week' Assigns Blame for the Assassination Attempt on Trump (Just Guess)

Authorities Reportedly Find Explosives in Trump Shooter's Vehicle