World leaders express solidarity with Trump after assassination attempt

From Europe to South America and Asia, world leaders speak out against political violence following shooting that wounded the former US president.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents
Donald Trump is surrounded by US Secret Service agents as he is helped off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024 [Gene J Puskar/AP Photo]

Presidents and prime ministers across the world have expressed their support for former United States President Donald Trump and spoken out against political violence following an assassination attempt against the Republican candidate at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

The shooting on Saturday pierced Trump’s right ear and killed one bystander. Two other spectators were critically wounded.

The US Secret Service said it shot the suspected assailant dead.

Here’s how world leaders reacted.

Albania

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on social media platform X that it was “distressing” to witness Trump being shot while speaking at a rally and to hear an attendee had died.

“This is a tragedy for the democratic world,” he said.

Argentina

President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for what he called a “cowardly assassination attempt”.

“In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda,” said the populist president.

Australia

Advertisement

Prime Minister 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,” he added.

Austria

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on social media platform X that he was appalled by the attempt.

“Political violence has no place in our society! My thoughts are with all the victims of this attack!” he said.

Brazil

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue”.

“What we saw today is unacceptable.”

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the shooting.

“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,” he wrote.

Chile

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.

China

China’s President Xi Jinping expressed his “compassion and sympathy” to Trump, a spokesman said, following the assassination attempt.

“China is closely following the situation surrounding the shooting of former President Donald Trump,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

El Salvador

El Salvador’s presidential palace said President Nayib Bukele condemned “the assassination attempt”.

“There is no place for violence in a democracy,” the President’s office said in a press release posted on X.

Advertisement

Estonia

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas posted on X saying she was shocked by the shooting and that her thoughts were with the victims. “Political violence in any form has no justification,” she wrote.

European Union

Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said he was “shocked” by the news of the attack.

“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” he wrote on X.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron wished Donald Trump a “speedy recovery”, calling the assassination attempt on the former US president “a tragedy”.

“This is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” Macron said on social media platform X.

Hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Trump “in these dark hours”.

India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend”.

He added, “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 people.”

Iraq

Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, condemned the attack on X “in the strongest terms,” saying his thoughts are with the victims of “this senseless act of terrorism.”

Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump”. He added on X, “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”

Advertisement

Italy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery.

She also expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence”.

Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying, “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”

He wrote on X, “I pray for President Trump’s speedy recovery.”

NATO

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was “shocked” by the assassination attempt of Trump, stressing that “Allies stand together to defend our freedom and values”.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies. NATO Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values.”

New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was shocked by the attack on Trump. “No country should encounter such political violence,” he wrote on X.

Philippines

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was greatly relieved to hear that Trump was safe after the assassination attempt against 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,” he wrote.

Poland

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said the attempted assassination was a “moment of shock not only for America, but also for the entire free and democratic world”.

Advertisement

In a posting on X, Duda “thanked God” for having “saved the life” of Trump and expressed hope that he would “recover all his strength soon”.

Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country condemned “the terrible attack” and his thoughts were with the victims and their families.

South Korea

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol said on X that he was appalled by “the hideous act” of political violence. He added the people of Korea stand in solidarity with Americans.

Slovakia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt himself in May, condemed the shooting in a Facebook post. He drew direct parallels between the two incidents, suggesting that the attack on Trump was the result of a campaign by his political opponents.

Taiwan

President William Lai Ching-te said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump and wished the former president 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,” he said.

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination attempt on X, offering his good wishes to Trump, his family and supporters.

He said he believed “the investigation into the attack will be conducted effectively” so as not to undermine the US elections.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally and offered Trump his “best wishes”.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” the British leader wrote.

Advertisement
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Advertisement