As bangs ran out, Trump grimaced and clutched a hand to his right ear, where blood was clearly visible across his cheek and mouth.
Agents swarmed onto the podium, surrounded the Republican candidate and escorted him roughly off the stage, as Trump raised a fist to the crowd in defiance.
The shocking incident will fuel anxiety in a country already on edge about the prospect of unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November election battle between Trump and President Joe Biden.
"The former president is safe," the Secret Service said in a post on X.
His campaign said he was "fine" and being checked at a medical facility.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow," said spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement.
Shooter dead
The suspected shooter was confirmed dead, along with one bystander, US media reported.
"Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead, including an apparent shooter," The Washington Post reported. A second bystander may also have been hit.
The apparent shooting took place shortly after Trump took the stage at his final campaign rally before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week.
The rally in Butler, Pennsylvania descended into scenes of chaos as bangs were heard and screams and shouts rang out.
"Let me get my shoes," Trump was heard saying on microphone, as security agents helped him back to his feet.
Agents bundled the 78-year-old tycoon into an SUV, as he once more raised his fist to the crowd.
"This is an active crime scene," Secret Service officers told reporters, ordering them out of the area.
"We saw a lot of people go down, looking confused. I heard the shots," said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
Biden has received an initial briefing by the head of the Secret Service and the Secretary of Homeland Security, the White House said.
US politicians reacted with shock to the incident.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was "horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe."
"Political violence has no place in our country," he added.
Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell added: "Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics."
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted by quickly endorsing Trump.
"I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery," Musk wrote on X, which he owns along with car manufacturer Tesla, as he shared a video of Trump pumping his fist while being escorted away.
Here’s how world leaders reacted.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally and offered Trump his “best wishes”.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” the British leader wrote.
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the shooting.
“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,” he wrote.
European Union
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said he was “shocked” by the news of the attack.
“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” he wrote on X.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend”.
He added, “Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.”
Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have condemned assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.
In a statement, they prayed for early recovery of Donald Trump and other injured persons and offered heartfelt condolences over the loss of life in the attack.
The President and Prime Minister said any sort of violence has no place in politics.
Japan
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying, “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
He wrote on X, “I pray for President Trump’s speedy recovery.”
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Trump “in these dark hours”.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
She also expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence”.
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “concerning and confronting”, expressing his relief that Trump was safe.
“There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” he added.
Argentina
President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for what he called a “cowardly assassination attempt”.
“In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda,” said the populist president.
Brazil
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue”.
“What we saw today is unacceptable.”
Chile
President Gabriel Boric expressed his “unqualified condemnation” of the shooting.
“Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it,” said Boric.
Taiwan
President William Lai Ching-te said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump and wished the former president a swift recovery.
“Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims affected by the attack,” he said.
New Zealand
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was shocked by the attack on Trump. “No country should encounter such political violence,” he wrote on X.
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