Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman John Wahl swiftly condemned the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Saturday, placing partial blame on the media's rhetoric towards Trump.
A bleeding Trump was hustled from the stage in Butler, Pa., after a series of gunshots rang out. Reports say the shooter was killed by law enforcement shortly after opening fire. Reports from the Secret Service say that one other person in the crowd was killed, and two others were seriously wounded.
A statement from Trump says he was shot through the upper ear but sustained no other injuries.
In his statement, Wahl called the assassination attempt "disgraceful," placing partial blame for the shooting on the vilification of Trump by the mainstream media.
"The Alabama Republican Party is heartbroken by today's attack on President Donald Trump," Wahl said. "This disgraceful act of violence has no place in our society and is an attack on the very principles of freedom and liberty. We stand in unwavering support of President Trump, his family, and the others injured and killed in this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this tragedy."
"As a society, we must come together and reaffirm our commitment to civility, respect, and peaceful political engagement. Let's be clear, the mainstream media's relentless demonization and vilification of Donald Trump is partially responsible for this tragedy. Their political bias towards a presidential candidate only serves to sow division and discord within our nation. The American people deserve better. It is time for everyone to step back from political rhetoric, and look at every person as an individual made in the image of God. I call on the Democratic Party and mainstream media to stop their inflammatory attacks, which incites individuals against Donald Trump and his supporters."
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