Former US president Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents Saturday after a series of possible gunshots were heard at the start of a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
As the bangs ran out, Trump clearly grimaced and clutched a hand to his right ear, on which blood could later be seen.
Agents swarmed onto the podium, surrounded the Republican candidate and escorted him off the stage, as Trump raised a fist to the crowd in a gesture of defiance.
President Trump's spokesman, Steven Cheung in a statement, thanked law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act, noting that the former US president is fine and is receiving treatment at a local medical facility.
The shocking incident will fuel anxiety in a country already concerned about the prospect of unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November election battle between Trump and President Joe Biden.
Similarly, the Secret Service said in a post on X that the former president is safe.
The incident took place shortly after Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.