US ex-president’s campaign raises over $2 million for shooting victims

US ex-President Donald Trump’s campaign raised more than $2 million through a GoFundMe campaign this weekend for the victims of the Trump rally shooting in Butler, Pa.

By July 14 afternoon, just before 3 p.m., the Trump campaign more than doubled its $1 million goal, reaching $2.034 million in donations, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The total number of donations reached 27,900 and the top donation was listed as $50,000.

The Trump campaign confirmed the authenticity of the GoFundMe page.

“President Donald Trump has authorized this account as a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed in brutal and horrific assassination attempt,” the GoFundMe campaign’s description reads.

“All donations will be directed to these proud Americans as they grieve and recover. May God bless and unite our nation,” the description continued.

The fundraising effort comes just after what officials are describing as an assassination attempt targeted at Trump. Trump was not critically injured, but his ear appeared to be bloodied as he was whisked offstage by officials during the July 13 rally.

One spectator was killed by the alleged gunman, and two other attendees were critically injured, the US Secret Service said. Authorities killed the gunman on scene just moments after the incident.

Trump, 78, was holding a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania - a key state in the November 5 election - when shots rang out, hitting his right ear and leaving his face streaked with blood. His campaign said he was doing well.

"That reality is just setting in," Trump told the Washington Examiner on July 14. "I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?"

One person in the crowd was killed and two others wounded before Secret Service agents fatally shot the suspect.

Trump is due to accept his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention with a speech on July 18. He pumped his fist in the air several times as he descended the stairs from his plane after arriving in Milwaukee.

"This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together. The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would've been two days ago," Trump told the Washington Examiner.