Chalmers interview interrupted by Trump fall

The dramatic scenes of US presidential candidate being escorted offstage after reports of gun shots has interrupted a live interview of Jim Chalmers on Sky News.

The Treasurer was speaking to Kieran Gilbert before the station turned to live coverage of the dramatic events during an election rally in Pennsylvanian.

Initial reports suggest a number of loud bangs interrupted Mr Trump mid-speech before the former president was immediately escorted offstage and into a car by secret service agents.

It’s unclear if the noises were gun shots, and reports have yet to confirm the source of the sounds.

He was heard saying: “Let me get my shoes,” and pumping his first into the air as he was being led off stage while being propped up by agents.

Mr Trump appeared to have blood on his cheek.

Asked to comment on the rapidly unfolding events, Dr Chalmers said he hoped the presidential candidate was “okay”.

“I mean, these are extraordinary scenes, and I hope that former President Trump is okay,” he said.

“You can see the professionalism with which the Secret Service has responded to that. I think it’s heartening to see that he had his arm up and he was able to he was mobile, that we hope that he is okay.

“These are extraordinary scenes, and no doubt you’ll be covering this now through the day.”

Earlier in the interview, Dr Chalmers was asked about the “likely” prospects about a second Trump presidency and said Australia would work with whoever wins on November 5.

“I’m not going to make predictions about the outcome of the US election. It’s obviously a matter for the American people and the Australian government,” he said.

“The Australian people will work closely with whoever the Americans choose to lead them from the beginning of next year at the elections in November.”

A statement from the White House referred to the moment as an “incident” and not a “shooting,” and said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident.

Mr Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung also later confirmed to media that the ex president “is fine.”

“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,” Cheung said in a statement, shared by CNN.

More to come