World leaders are reacting to the assassination attempt on former American President, Donald Trump.
Trump escaped assassination in a rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The gunman, who was killed by security forces, has been identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Secret Service said in a statement that the suspect “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents.
Trump was left with a bullet wound to his ear in an unfortunate attack that left a spectator and the lone gunman dead, while two other people were critically injured.
Condemning the attack, US President Joe Biden said, ” There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country… We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this,” Biden told reporters in an emergency briefing at his house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“The idea that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody must condemn it. Everybody,” Biden said.
Also, the U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said he is “appalled” by the assassination attempt on Trump at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes,” Starmer wrote on X. “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”
On his part, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is “appalled” by the assassination attempt of former President Trump and that the shooting has “no justification and no place anywhere in the world.”
“I am appalled to learn about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.”
“I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him a speedy recovery,” he continued.
“My condolences go out to the close ones of this attack’s victim, a rally attendee. I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this.”
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was a “miracle” that former President Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“It is a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination,” Johnson wrote on X. “As we give thanks for his safety we are reminded once again of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason. Our thoughts are with the president and the Trump family.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said he is “horrified” by the assassination attempt on former President Trump at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania, stressing that there is “no place for political violence in our democracy.”
“Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt,” Schiff wrote on X. “There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery.
As for Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the position was not different, as he said that he is “horrified” by the assassination attempt of former President Trump at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe,” Schumer wrote on X. “Political violence has no place in our country.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson condemned the shooting as an “act of political violence,” according his chief spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General unequivocally condemns this act of political violence. He sends his best wishes to President Trump for a speedy recovery,” the spokesperson added.
Referring to “these dark hours,” Hungary’s nationalist leader Victor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Trump.
UAE foreign ministry condemned the incident in a statment on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery. The right-wing leader expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence.”
Former US president Barack Obama said “there is no place for political violence in our democracy.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with Trump, adding the shooting marked a ‘tragedy for our democracies’.
“I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” Macron said on social media platform X on Sunday.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” after the 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’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”
Costa Rica’s government condemned the attack and said it was following updates on “this unacceptable act.” “As a leader in democracy and peace, we reject all forms of violence,” the presidency said.
Chilean 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.
In Bolivia, President Luis Arce said “despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke out against political attacks, saying “we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
Australia’s 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,” the prime minister said.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon echoed such views, writing “no country should encounter such political violence.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.”
“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” Netanyahu said. Political violence “never acceptable,” remarked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mohammed Jaber, a trustee on the suburban District 230 High School Board in Orland Park, said: “No human should fear for their life, whether it is a politician or a civilian. We can all agree to disagree, but everyone should be respected regardless of one’s view. It’s completely wrong what happened to Trump at this campaign rally.”
Samir Khalil, president of the Arab American Democratic Club of Illinois, said: “It is truly sad that so many tragic events around the world and the leading democracy nation reach this level of tragic political violence. As a human being I am saddened by this violent behavior. We should expect more intervention from the free world to influence peace and harmony not wars and no more hate. May God bless humanity of the world and the great USA.”
Mary Basta, mayor of the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, said: “I am deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred today. Prayers go out to the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in our society and do not reflect the sentiment of true democracy.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack. He said, “Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives.”
On it’s part, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend.”
“Violence has no place in politics and democracies,” Modi said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying “we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered his “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims.“Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies,” he said.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said it was “with great relief that we receive the news that former President Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assassinate him.”
“Together with all democracy loving peoples around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence. The voice of the people must always remain supreme,” Marcos said.
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