'Will never surrender': Trump after bid on life

PTI, Washington: Hours after another failed attempt on his life, former US president Donald Trump on Monday said he will never surrender and never stop fighting for Americans. The Republican presidential candidate also thanked the US Secret Service and other law enforcement officials for their "outstanding" job after what the FBI said was an apparent assassination attempt while playing golf on one of his golf courses in Florida's West Palm Beach.

The former president remained unharmed in the latest assassination bid about two months after another attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania rally. "I am Donald J. Trump. FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!," the Republican presidential candidate said on his campaign website. "There are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us. I will not stop fighting for you. I will Never Surrender! I will always love you for supporting me. Through our UNITY we will Make America Great Again! I will Never Surrender!" Trump said. “THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING," the former president said in a post on Truth Social. “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes -- It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the US Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated patriots, and, all of the law enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican nominee in the upcoming presidential election, SAFE,” Trump said.

Local authorities said the US Secret Service agents protecting Trump fired at a man pointing an AK-style rifle with a scope while the former president was golfing with donor Steve Witkoff when shots were fired, CNN quoted a source familiar with the development as saying. President Joe Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris were briefed and updated on the investigation. Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate and Trump's rival in the upcoming election, in a statement, said “violence has no place in America”. "I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former president Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America," Harris said on X.

Biden echoed that thought in his statement, adding that he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service "has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president's continued safety”. "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or any violence ever in our country," Biden said on X, adding that he was "relieved the former president is unharmed". Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, in his comments about attempts on Trump's life, questioned why no similar threats were being made against Biden or Harris.