Former President Donald Trump “Safe” After Gunshots Reported at Golf Course
Former President Donald Trump is reportedly “safe” following reports of gunshots being heard in his vicinity on Sept. 15, 2024, according to a statement by Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Cheung’s statement read: “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”
Related: Donald Trump: Analyzing the 45th U.S. President’s Impact on American Politics
The incident occurred at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the former president was playing golf. According to CNN, the golf course was swiftly locked down after the gunshots were heard, and law enforcement officials responded to secure the area.
While the specifics of the incident remain unclear, early reports suggest that officials are investigating the possibility that the shooter may have been targeting Trump. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, claimed that law enforcement recovered an AK-47 rifle at the scene.
Previous Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
This incident comes just months after a previous assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. That attempt was thwarted when Secret Service agents fatally wounded the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks. The failed attempt led to a significant uptick in Trump’s chances of securing the presidency, with prediction markets showing a surge in support.
Also read: Crypto Goes Unmentioned in First Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
Following the July 13 incident, the price of the Donald Trump-themed memecoin, MAGA (TRUMP), surged by 52%. The rally in support for Trump also created a corresponding increase in the price of Bitcoin, which hit $64,671 on July 15. Austin Campbell, founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, commented on the phenomenon: “Historically, attempted assassinations have led to an uptick in support for candidates.”
Despite the recent surge in support following the assassination attempt, Trump’s lead in the 2024 presidential race has been fluctuating. His odds of winning the election took a hit after a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, where his Polymarket odds fell by 3%, bringing him neck-and-neck with Harris on the prediction platform.
Trump’s highest levels of support on Polymarket came in the aftermath of the July assassination attempt. However, as the November elections approach, the gap between Trump and his competitors has narrowed significantly.
Related Developments
The incident on Sept. 15 also coincides with the anticipated launch of Trump’s new cryptocurrency platform, World Liberty Financial, which is set to go live on Sept. 16, 2024. This platform, designed to compete in the growing digital finance space, has been part of Trump’s broader financial and political strategy during his 2024 presidential campaign.
As the situation surrounding the latest incident continues to develop, further updates from law enforcement and Trump’s campaign are expected.
