People left baffled by BBC reporter lying on ground after Trump assassination attempt

People have been left baffled by a BBC reporter lying on the ground after the assassination attempt of Donald Trump.

BBC Senior North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue was at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when gun shots were heard on Saturday (13 July).

He and his team were just about to go live on BBC’s World Service when a gunman shot at Trump and a last-minute movement ‘saved his life’.

As the former US president ducked to the ground and was surrounded by Seccret Service agents, attendees in the crowd ducked too and the news crew also took cover behind their car.

BBC shared a video to TikTok with O’Donoghue reporting from the scene.

Trump was shot at on Saturday. (REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images)

O’Donoghue was lying on his stomach on the grass as he recalled the incident and gave his report on it happening ‘a few hundred metres’ from where they were standing.

“We’re just waiting to see if things have cleared. And as you can see, we’re on the ground behind our car, which is not ideal but that’s the shelter we have at the moment,” he said.

But some viewers were pretty baffled as what seem to be members of the public can be seen casually walking by in the background as O’Donoghue remains on the ground.

Users commented to ask: “Why is he laying the grass,” as another wrote: “Second-hand embarrassed for whoever decided it be a good idea.”

Another wrote: “I was creasing when I saw this. People on the other side just strolling along.”

With others echoing: “Why is he laying on the floor yet on the TV reports people are walking on the other side of the road?!!!”

Many pointed out that us Brits aren’t as used to shooting incidents as they wrote: “No wonder the Americans make fun of us.”

Many defended the reporter for remaining on the ground. (BBC)

Some did give praise for O’Donogue, a blind journalist who is known for advocating for the representation of those living with disabilities.

And plenty defended him as they added: “Might be slightly dramatic, but can’t blame him for being cautious.”

With the gunman dead after being ‘neutralised’ by authorities, Trump released a statement following the incident.

He promised he would remain ‘defiant’ in the aftermath as he thanked people for their ‘thoughts and prayers’. And he added that ‘it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening’.