World leaders condemn Trump rally shooting
World leaders reacted with shock to the wounding of Donald Trump in an assassination attempt against the former US president at an election rally. Presidents and prime ministers globally spoke out against political violence and expressed their support for those affected by the shooting on Saturday, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.
Europe
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack, stating, “Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally, emphasizing that “political violence in any form has no place in our societies.”
Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Trump, referring to “these dark hours.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery. She expressed hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “appalled to learn about the shooting” and wished Trump a “speedy recovery,” adding that “such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.”
Americas
Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for the assassination attempt, claiming, “In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda.”
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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the shooting, stating it “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”
Costa Rica’s government also condemned the attack, asserting, “As a leader in democracy and peace, we reject all forms of violence.”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his “unqualified condemnation” of the shooting, stating, “Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it.”
In Bolivia, President Luis Arce said, “Despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone.”
Asia Pacific
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern, saying, “Violence has no place in politics and democracies.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke against political attacks, asserting, “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims, stating, “Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies.”
Australia’s Anthony Albanese described the scenes at the Trump campaign event as “shocking,” expressing relief that the former US president was safe. “This was an inexcusable attack on the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure,” he said.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon echoed these views, writing, “No country should encounter such political violence.”
Middle East
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara expressed shock at the apparent attack on Trump, stating, “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
Proofreading by Sakinat Abubakar Musa and Jamila Yunusa Suleiman, Editor and Sub-editor at Neptune Prime
