Trump vows defiance after surviving assassination attempt

Good morning. Here's what happened overnight and what you need to know today.

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Defiant Donald: Former President Donald Trump pledged to remain "defiant in the face of wickedness" following an assassination attempt at a Saturday rally. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by a Secret Service sniper after firing at Trump, injuring him and killing a 50-year-old attendee. Authorities discovered explosive devices in Crooks' car, The Wall Street Journal reported citing sources with knowledge of the investigation. The New York Times also reported law enforcement officials may have found explosive materials at his residence. President Joe Biden briefly addressed the nation on Sunday afternoon, saying he had spoken to Trump in “a short and good conversation,” and that he was “sincerely grateful he is doing well and recovering.” Biden said the FBI was leading an investigation into the incident, but the motives of the assailant were still not clear, asking the public not to jump into conclusions: “I urge everyone, everyone, please don’t make assumptions about his motives and affiliations, let the FBI do their job.” Biden called for unity and directed the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, scheduled to start Monday. He also requested an independent national security review of the events at the rally, promising to make the findings public. Separately, Republican-led House committees arranged their own probes of the assassination attempt. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was called to testify on 22 July before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, chaired by Republican congressman Mark Green. Trump, meanwhile, was recovering at his home in New Jersey. "We will fear not but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness,” he said in post on Truth Social on Sunday. (Capital Brief) (CNN)(The New York Times)(The Wall Street Journal)(Reuters)

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Markets react: Bitcoin surged past USD60,000 ($88,000) after Donald Trump’s defiant response to an assassination attempt sparked speculation that his chances of winning the election have climbed. The former president, a pro-crypto advocate, was shot in the right ear during a Pennsylvania rally, but his campaign officials declared him “fine” and eager to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week, where he will be officially nominated as the Republican candidate. Data from online betting sites Predictit and Polymarket showed a spike in his re-election chances after the incident, with images of an injured but defiant Trump pumping his fist at the crowds widely shared on traditional and social media sites worldwide. President Joe Biden’s campaign said it would pull down its television ads. Traders expect high volatility when markets open, with some investors betting the shooting boosts his odds of winning back the White House, Reuters and Bloomberg reported. Possible swings similar to post-debate trades favouring Trump last month are expected, including higher Treasury yields and a stronger US dollar. Bitcoin rose 2.7% to USD60,160.71, up from lows of USD53,000 earlier in the month. (Bloomberg)(Reuters)