Former US President Donald Trump safe after gunshots near Florida golf club

Former President Donald Trump was confirmed safe following gunshots fired near his Florida golf club on Sunday, according to his campaign.

Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, stated, "President Trump is safe," but provided no further details on the incident.

The Secret Service has launched an investigation into what they described as a "protective incident" involving Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. EST (7 p.m. BST) at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The former president was reportedly playing golf at the time.

Biden and Harris briefed on the incident

In a statement, the White House confirmed that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed about the shooting incident.

"They are relieved to know that [former President Trump] is safe and will be kept regularly updated by their team," the statement read.

The White House has been in contact with the Secret Service for ongoing updates on the investigation.

The West Palm Beach Sheriff's Office has been contacted for further details on the situation, but there has yet to be an official update on the suspect or the motive behind the gunshots.

Second incident in two months involving Trump

This latest incident comes two months after a more serious attempt on Trump's life during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

During that rally, a gunman fired at Trump with an AR-15–style rifle, hitting the former president's ear.

The attack left one audience member dead before the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.

The Secret Service came under heavy scrutiny following the Pennsylvania attack, particularly over how Crooks managed to fire from the roof of a nearby building.

Within two weeks of the rally shooting, the agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned from her post.

Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that shots were fired near his father's West Palm Beach golf course, and that a suspect had been apprehended.

However, specific details regarding the suspect’s identity or motivations have not been released.

As investigations continue, law enforcement is expected to provide more information about the shooting and the extent of any potential threat to the former president.