Elon Musk endorsed Donald Trump for reelection Saturday evening shortly after gunshots appear to have been fired at the former president’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Trump was escorted off the stage by the Secret Service and seen with blood on his face afterwards.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X Saturday.
A few minutes later, Musk posted “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.” The X, formerly Twitter, owner also shared a photograph of Trump raising his fist with blood on his face, as Secret Service agents surrounded him.
Trump was only minutes into his Saturday rally speech before Secret Service officers swarmed him after a series of popping noises. As of publication, the Secret Service is investigating the noises, but has yet to officially identify them as gunshots. Pennsylvania District Attorney Richard A Goldfinger told the Associated Press that the suspect and one attendee are dead. In a statement to WIRED, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung confirmed that Trump was “fine.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” says Cheung. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
Musk made a donation to the pro-Trump America PAC on Friday, Bloomberg reported. The report did not specify the amount Musk donated, but the donation was characterized as a “sizable amount.” The PAC is required to disclose its donors by the end of next week.
Musk’s Friday donation was his first this election cycle after he declined to endorse any presidential candidate in multiple interviews. In March, Musk told former CNN anchor Don Lemon that he was “leaning away” from President Joe Biden when asked for his preferred candidate.
In a statement, the White House said that Biden had received an “initial briefing on the incident.”