This is the moment an inflammatory Donald Trump ally had his mic cut after calling US president Joe Biden a senile bag of oatmeal, following a suspected assassination attempt on the former president.
Trump, 78, is confirmed safe and alive after shots were fired while he was at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. A man driving a black Nissan was detained shortly after the incident at 2PM EST (7PM BST), and an AK-47, two backpacks and a GoPro were found in the area.
Following the incident, potentially the second time in two months Trumps life was threatened by a shooter, the White House said that both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were briefed on the incident, adding: They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team.
But Trump ally and former adviser Sebastian Gorka told Sky News Gillian Joseph that he did not believe that Biden and Harris were relieved to hear that Trump was safe, claiming: [Joe Biden] doesnt even know what day of the week it is. Hes a senile bag of oatmeal.
These are the same people who called my former boss a threat to democracy and a wannabe dictator. They are part of the problem.
I reject everything that comes out of their mendacious mouths. They are absolute hacks and liars who hate America and my former boss, and anybody who believes in the idea of making America great again. Yes, they are liars.
Trump, 78, (pictured) is confirmed safe and alive after shots were fired while he was at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida
Shots were heard at his West Palm Beach golf resort (pictured)
Trump ally and former adviser Sebastian Gorka (pictured) told Sky News that he did not believe that Biden and Harris were relieved to hear that Trump was safe
After verbally sparring with the host, he said before he was cut off: Dont invite me on your show, can you promise me that.
Trump has since issued a defiant statement after shots were fired at his golf course near West Palm Beach while he was present - promising to never surrender.
There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I am safe and well, he wrote in an alert sent out by his team Sunday.
Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender, the candidate continued, months after surviving a separate attempt on his life that saw him shot in the ear.
I will always love you for supporting me.
Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May god bless you, he wrote as a signoff, sharing a photo of his face as a characteristic signature.
Multiple shots were fired near Donald Trumps golf club in West Pam Beach, Florida on Sunday
Donald Trump golfs at his club in West Palm Beach on May 4, 2023
Law enforcement held a press conference Sunday afternoon where they revealed images of the suspects belonging left at the scene including a backpack, GoPro camera and AK-47 rifle
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, added in his own bulletin not long after the shots were heard: President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity.
No further details at this time.
A man, meanwhile, has been reportedly taken into custody, though it remains unknown whether he was the one responsible for the gunfire.
No members of the Secret Service were injured, and cops said the shooting occurred just before 2pm.
The person detained by feds at the scene was said to have a calm demeanor, but has not been identified.
The nature of the shooting, as a result, remains unknown, and members of the Secret Service were seen firing at the suspect, who was said to be a few holes ahead of the group Trump was a part of.
Traffic in West Palm Beach as police shut down roads outside Trump International Golf Club after gunshots were fired in the vicinity of the former president, who was golfing
Palm Beach Sheriffs Department vehicles posted up outside Trump International Golf Club on Sunday after gunshots were reported in the vicinity of where the former president was golfing
A long gun has reportedly been recovered from the scene, and sources briefed on the matter have said officials believe Trump was the intended target.
Its not known if the person detained even let a shot off, with initial reports only indicating Secret Service agents fired at the suspect.
That confrontation took place in woods near the golf club, officials said.
As reports of the shooting circulated, Vice President Kamala Harris issued her own response on X.
I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, the short statement read.
I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.
Trump, meanwhile, went on to return to the club, officials revealed, before confirming he has since left the scene. The presidential candidate was initially rushed off the golf course when the shots rang out.
Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead by Secret Service agents after he was able to climb onto a roof with an AR-15 just 400 feet from where Trump was speaking and take multiple shots that killed one rally goer, critically injured two others and struck the former president
A bullet struck Donald Trumps right ear during an assassination attempt on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Members of the Secret Service were said to have spotted the individual now being held in relation to the case, likely avoiding casualties.
He was seen holding an assault-style gun that some have said appeared to look like an AK-47, though that remains to be seen.
The FBI has responded to the scene, calling the event an attempted assassination.
Feds investigation into the incident remains ongoing. The person detained has yet to be named.
In the meantime, many - including Trumps team - are asking questions: like how could two people with guns get so close to the former president in a manner of months.
The probe, as the last one after the failed attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, did, will likely yield answers.
Trump has a campaign office in West Palm Beach, not far from the golf course.