Former President Donald Trump was injured during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday where shots were fired, causing chaos among the attendees. The incident, described as an assassination attempt, has sparked widespread condemnation from both Republican and Democratic leaders.
According to Trump’s campaign, the gunshot struck him in the ear, resulting in visible bleeding. His campaign said later that the former President was “doing well” and confirmed he had been discharged from the hospital and had returned to his home in New Jersey. An aide posted a video of him getting off a plane unaided.
The shooting resulted in the death of one spectator and two others sustained critical injuries.
In response to the threat, the Secret Service swiftly neutralized the suspected assailant, who was later confirmed dead.
The FBI called the attack an “assassination attempt” and said it had taken the lead in investigating the case.
Kevin Rojek, a spokesman for the agency, said officials have identified the shooter, but would not release details. He added that a motive was not immediately clear.
A spokesperson for the UN secretary general, António Guterres, condemned the shooting and called it an “act of political violence.”
Reaction came throughout the night from his close allies and other leaders.
Current US President Joe Biden said he was “grateful” to know that Trump was safe and that he was praying for him and his family. “There is no place for this kind of violence in America,” he said. “We must unite as one nation to condemn it.” Biden had reportedly spoken to Trump after the attack.
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally. “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” he added.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said: “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was “appalled”. “Never should violence prevail,” he said, adding, “I wish America emerges stronger from this.”
“My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt. I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured,” wrote French President Emmanuel Macron. “It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that he was deeply concerned by “the attack on my friend.” he added that “Violence has no place in politics and democracies.”
The Israeli Prime Mnister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he was shocked by the shooting and wished Trump a speedy recovery.