World leaders condemned political violence and reacted with shock after US presidential candidate Donald Trump was wounded in a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally, an alleged assassination attempt that also left one bystander dead and two spectators critically injured. Presidents and prime ministers expressed their support for those affected by the shooting on Saturday .
Republican candidate Trump was shot in the right ear and swiftly escorted off stage by the Secret Service, with blood streaming down his face. The assailant was subsequently shot and killed by a Secret Service agent.
Newly elected UK PM Keir Starmer expressed his horror at the rally’s shocking scenes, stating, “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also condemned the attack, saying, “Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” the bloc’s top diplomat remarked.
A close ally of the US, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that he and his wife Sara were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.
He added on social media platform X, ‘We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.’
Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 13, 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned political violence as ‘never acceptable’ in response to the shooting of former President Trump.
‘I’m sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,’ Trudeau stated on social media platform X.
I’m sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 14, 2024
Also Read:Donald Trump Injured In ‘Assassination Attempt’ At Campaign Rally, Biden Responds
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X, expressing her concern over updates from Pennsylvania and wishing Trump a speedy recovery. The right-wing leader voiced her hope that in the coming months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility will prevail over hate and violence.
Seguo con apprensione gli aggiornamenti dalla Pennsylvania, dove il 45esimo Presidente degli Stati Uniti @realDonaldTrump è stato colpito durante un comizio. A lui la mia solidarietà e i miei auguri di pronta guarigione, con l’auspicio che i prossimi mesi di campagna elettorale…
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 13, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep concern over the attack on his friend, stating, ‘Violence has no place in politics and democracies.’
Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. 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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2024
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida condemned political attacks, stating, ‘We must resolutely oppose any form of violence that threatens democracy.’
We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery.
民主主義に挑戦する暴力には毅然と立ち向かわなければなりません。トランプ前大統領の一刻も早い回復をお祈りしています。
— 岸田文雄 (@kishida230) July 14, 2024
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te extended his ‘sincere condolences’ to the shooting victims, stating, ‘Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies.’
My thoughts and prayers are with former US President Trump and I wish him 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.
— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) July 14, 2024
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting ‘concerning and confronting’ and expressed relief for Trump’s safety. ‘There is no place for violence in the democratic process,’ he stated.
The incident at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania today is concerning and confronting. There is no place for violence in the democratic process.
I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 14, 2024
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon shared similar sentiments, stating, ‘No country should experience such political violence.’
From the Americas, Argentina’s President Javier Milei was among the first to react to the shooting, blaming the ‘international left’ for 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 strongly condemned the shooting, stating it ‘must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.’
Costa Rica’s government condemned the attack, 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, emphasizing that ‘violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it.’
Bolivian President Luis Arce stated, ‘Despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone.’
Also Read:WATCH: Moment When Trump Was Attacked During Rally
Back in the US, President Joe Biden led the condemnation, with shocked reactions from political leaders on both sides of the aisle. The president spoke with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy, according to the White House.
Biden, who was scheduled to be in Delaware for the weekend, changed his plans to return to the White House. Earlier, he said, “Everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt. Addressing the nation about two hours after the shooting, he said, “We cannot allow this to be happening. The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.”
