Former President Trump ‘safe’ following gunshots nearby — Campaign

Former United States President Trump is “safe” following reports of gunshots “in his vicinity.” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a Sept. 15 statement: “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”

The former president was reportedly playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when the gunshots were heard. According to CNN, the golf course was immediately locked down after the incident.

At this point, it is not clear if the incident was an assassination attempt on the former president. However, officials do believe the shooter was attempting to target him. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., also claimed that an AK-47 rifle was recovered at the scene by law enforcement officials.

A previous assassination attempt on former President Trump occurred on July 13, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Related: Trump to launch World Liberty Financial crypto platform on Sept. 16

Assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania

The July 13 assassination attempt on the former president was thwarted after Secret Service agents fatally wounded the shooter — later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.

Following the assassination attempt, Trump’s odds of winning the presidency soared on prediction markets, and the Trump-themed memecoin MAGA (TRUMP) spiked by 52%.

These increased odds also created a corresponding rally for Bitcoin (BTC) — causing its price to reach $64,671 on July 15. At the time of the failed assassination, Austin Campbell —founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting — told Cointelegraph: “Historically, attempted assassinations have led to an uptick in support for candidates.”

The current Polymarket odds

The Republican candidate’s significant lead on Polymarket was eroded following the debate with his Democratic counterpart, Vice President Kamala Harris. The former president’s odds of winning the election slid by 3% during the debate — putting Trump and Harris neck and neck on the online prediction market.

The Polymarket odds favoring Trump were at their highest levels directly following the earlier failed assassination attempt — when President Joe Biden was still the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential ticket. Since then, the margins between the competing political campaigns have significantly narrowed as the November elections draw closer.

Magazine: Bitcoiners are ‘all in’ on Trump since Bitcoin ’24, but it’s getting risky