Global leaders have expressed concern Sunday over an assassination attempt targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania that left one attendee dead and critically injured two others, with many condemning the violence that shocked the world.
Trump’s campaign said the presumptive Republican nominee was doing “fine” after being whisked off the stage though the shooting pierced the upper part of his right ear.
The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
As heads of state condemned the attack, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said American lawmakers should use the money allocated to supply weapons to Ukraine “to finance the American police” so as to “ensure law and order.”
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.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attempted assassination as an inexcusable attack on the United States and Australia’s shared democratic values.
“In Australia, as in the United States, the essence and the purpose of our democracies is that we can express our views, debate our disagreements and resolve our differences peacefully,” Albanese told reporters in the Australian Parliament House.
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
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on X that the attack must be “strongly repudiated” by all democracy defenders and dialogue in politics, calling the incident unacceptable.
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil and a close ally of Trump, also expressed his solidarity.
“- Our solidarity is with the greatest world leader of the moment,” Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter. “We hope for your speedy recovery.”
Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X saying that he was sickened by the shooting and his thoughts were with Trump, those at the event and all Americans.
“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable,” he wrote.
China
Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China is concerned about the attack and President Xi Jinping has already extended his regards to Trump.
Czech Republic
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala strongly condemned the attack and wished Trump a fast recovery.
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdelfattah El Sissi expressed concern and stressed his country’s condemnation of the attack in a statement and said he wished the US election campaigns to be resumed in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free of any aspects of terrorism, violence, or hatred,” he said.
El Salvador
El Salvador’s presidential palace said President Nayib Bukele condemned “the assassination attempt” on Trump.
“There is no place for violence in a democracy,” the President’s office said in a press release posted on X.
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.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron sent his wishes to Trump for a prompt recovery. “It is a drama for our democracies. France shares the indignation of the American people,” he posted on X.
Finland
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on X that the attack shocked him and he was glad to hear that Trump seemed to be doing well. He strongly condemned the assault and any act of political violence.
Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X saying the attack was “despicable” and such violent acts threaten democracy. “My compassionate thoughts are also with the other people who were hurt in the attack,” he said.
Hungary
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump “in these dark hours” on X.
India
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that he was deeply concerned by “the attack on my friend.”
“Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies,” he said. “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
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said on X that he condemned “utterly and unequivocally” the attempt on Trump’s life and wished him a fast recovery on behalf of all the Israeli people, adding their thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Italy
Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni wished Trump a quick recovery and said in a statement she hoped “the next few months of the election campaign will see dialogue and responsibility prevail over hatred and violence.”
Japan
“We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on X.
Kosovo
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the assassination attempt on X.
“Political disagreement in a democracy must always be expressed through peaceful forms of speech and protest, and resolved by free and fair elections.”
Latvia
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also said on X that he was shocked by the assault, adding that political violence is unacceptable and deplorable.
Lithuania
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda posted on X saying he was shocked and appalled to learn about the shooting and strongly condemned the act of political violence.
Mexico
Mexico’s president Andrés Manuel López Obrador denounced the attack on X and said “violence is irrational and inhumane.”
Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wrote on X that he was saddened by the assault attack, condemning political violence in all its forms.
Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the shooting a “shocking development.” He said he condemned all violence in politics and wished the former president a swift recovery and good health.
Russia
Writing on her Telegram channel, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said American lawmakers should use the money they use to supply weapons to Ukraine “to finance the American police and other services which should ensure law and order within the United States.”
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.
Sweden
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country condemned “the terrible attack” and his thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te said his thoughts and prayers are with Trump on X, adding that political violence of any form is never acceptable “in our democracies.”
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.
The European Commission
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was deeply shocked by the shooting on X, adding political violence has no place in democracy.
The Philippines
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on X he was relieved to learn that Trump is fine and condemned the attack.
“The voice of the people must always remain supreme,” he said.
Ukraine
Also on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was appalled to learn about the shooting, saying such violence has no justification. He added he was relieved to learn that Trump is safe.
Zelenskyy extended his wishes for strength to everyone who was horrified by the event.
United Kingdom
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X that he was appalled by the “shocking scenes,” and sent his best wishes to Trump and his family.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” he said.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a close ally of Trump, said it was a “miracle” the former president escaped from the assassination attempt.
“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,” he wrote on X.
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Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.