By Jack Phillips
The Trump campaign on Sunday said that former President Donald Trump is safe after reports of gunshots in his vicinity, while the Secret Service said it is working to investigate the incident.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,“ a brief statement released by Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said. ”No further details at this time.”
The statement did not provide any other information, including where Trump was when the shots were reported. It’s also not clear if shots were fired at the former president.
The U.S. Secret Service wrote on social media platform X that it is working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident, adding that it occurred before 2 p.m. ET.
The sheriff’s office will provide more details about the incident “soon,” the agency said.
The Epoch Times could not immediately verify where Trump was when the campaign statement was issued or where the shots were allegedly fired. A report from Politico said that that gunshots were reported near the Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The U.S. Secret Service, the West Palm Beach Police Department, and Trump campaign have not responded to requests for comment on Sunday.
No injuries were reported, according to a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had both been briefed.
“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. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the statement said.
Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s oldest son, wrote on social media that an “AK-47” rifle was found “in the bushes” near the course and that a suspect was reportedly apprehended, while suggesting that the shooting was another attempt on Trump’s life. He cited local law enforcement officials for his comment.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote on X that he spoke with the former president after the reported shooting, adding that he is in “good spirits” and is “one of the strongest people” he’s known. “He is more resolved than ever to save our country,” the senator added.
Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach is several miles from Mar-a-Lago, the former president’s primary residence.
During a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, a would-be assassin fired multiple shots at Trump as he was speaking, with one bullet striking him in the ear. One rallygoer was killed and two others were injured.
The shooting suspect was shot and killed just moments after he fired at the former president. Federal and state law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooter.
After the incident, questions emerged about whether the U.S. Secret Service was sufficiently prepared to secure the rally, held in Butler, Pennsylvania. In the aftermath of the incident, the agency’s then-director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned from her position and a new agency director was named.
Multiple investigations have been initiated into the shooting, including by Congress, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
