History of US presidential assassinations

Several of the 46 US presidents have faced assassination attempts, with four resulting in fatalities. The recent shooting incident involving former President and presidential candidate Donald Trump marks the latest in this somber history.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated. John Wilkes Booth shot him on April 14, 1865, while Lincoln attended a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Lincoln died the following morning. His support for Black rights was cited as a motive for the assassination. Vice President Andrew Johnson succeeded him.

James Garfield

James Garfield became the second assassinated president just six months into his term. Charles Guiteau shot him on July 2, 1881, at a Washington train station. Despite attempts to locate the bullet with a special device, Garfield succumbed to his injuries weeks later. Vice President Chester Arthur took office following Garfield's death.

William McKinley

William McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901, after delivering a speech in Buffalo. While shaking hands with attendees, an assailant fired two bullets into his chest at close range. Though initially expected to recover, McKinley developed gangrene and died on September 14, 1901. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.

John Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963 during a visit to Dallas. He was fatally shot as his motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza, dying shortly after reaching Parkland Hospital. Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in aboard Air Force One, making him the only president to take the oath of office on a plane.

Donald Trump

On July 14, former President Donald Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. He was quickly taken to a medical center and reported to be "safe" following the shocking incident. Trump, 78, was seen with blood on his right ear and was escorted off the stage by security. He later confirmed on Truth Social that a bullet had grazed the upper part of his right ear, condemning such violence in the US.

Trump had just begun his speech when the shots were fired. The Secret Service neutralized the shooter, who fired from a high vantage point. Trump's campaign later confirmed that he was "okay" and undergoing medical evaluation, with plans to attend the Republican Party conference.

President Joe Biden condemned the shooting from his residence in Delaware, expressing concern over the violence and relief that Trump was "safe and well." Trump was expected to return to the White House later that day.