‘Get down!’: Hot mic captures what was said as frantic secret service swarmed bleeding Trump and shots ring out
A HOT mic has caught what Secret Service agents shouted as they frantically swarmed Donald Trump during an assassination attempt.
The former president survived the nightmare at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, yesterday after Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, shot him in the ear.
Secret Service agents ran onto the stage to protect Trump as the sound of bullets rang out and the ex-president clutched at his head.
The mic, which Trump had been using for his speech only moments before, then caught the officers’ hurried response to the shock attack.
Agents begin shouting at the candidate to “get down, get down, get down, get down” – with Trump dropping to the ground behind the podium and agents covering him with their bodies.
Horrified screams of audience members can be heard as they begin to realise what has unfolded before their eyes.
An agent asks: “what are we doing” with another responding by telling the team to move Trump to the car – which they refer to as the “spare”, several times.
Another replies: “Turn him around to the spare, move him to the spare.
“Move him to the spare, hold him, when you’re ready”.
Once heavily armed officers arrive on stage, the service agents say “hot guy’s here” and prepare to move Trump.
One officer says: “Spare get ready, spare get ready”, telling the car to get ready for Trump’s emergency extraction.
Another agent says: “Shooter is down, are we good to move?”
Another replies: “We’re clear, let’s move.”
The team then lift Trump up off the floor as he tells them to let him get his shoes on.
Blood has dripped down the side of Trump’s face to his mouth, with cameras capturing the shocking site as he comes back into view.
As the agents grapple with the president, trying to keep him out of any open view, the mic is bumped and the podium moved.
The former president then pumps his fist in triumph at having survived the attempt and mouths the word “fight”.
Trump is then taken off the stage and moved to the car.
The FBI announced on Sunday the Secret Service had killed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, at the scene.
Chaos erupted shortly after 6pm on Saturday when Trump took to the stage to address Republican voters.
The 2024 hopeful later said he felt a bullet rip through his skin as it pierced the upper part of his right ear.
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former president
- Gunfire broke out during the Republican front-runner’s speech at around 6:15 pm EST on Saturday evening
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting in detail – as bullets ripped through his ear
- The shooter – identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks – was shot dead by Secret Service agents
- A witness from the scene claims he alerted police to a man on a nearby roof with a rifle before the assassination attempt
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting “sick,” and has suspended campaigning for the next two days
- Trump was rushed to hospital Saturday evening but was later released and has since left Pennsylvania
Trump thanked law enforcement for their swift response to the gunfire, offering his condolences to the families of those affected.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“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!”
An doctor in attendance at the rally told how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd.
Both Republicans and Democrats have condemned the brutal attack, with President Joe Biden calling the heinous crime “sick.”
Trump Rally Timeline
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday afternoon.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.