World leaders react to Trump rally shooting

WASHINGTON - 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 July 13, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.

Europe

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Mr Josep Borrell, condemned the attack.

“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” the bloc’s top diplomat said.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was “shocked” by the assassination attempt.

“I am shocked by the attempted assassination on former President Trump. I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected,” he said on the X social media platform. “I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies. Nato Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on July 14 he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies,” the Premier said.

Referring to “these dark hours”, Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Trump.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the assassination attempt “despicable”, and said political violence posed a threat to democracy.

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

The right-wing leader expressed her hope that “in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence”.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the incident a “tragedy for our democracies”.

He wrote on X: “France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “appalled to learn about the shooting” and wished Trump a “speedy recovery”.

“Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail,” he said.

Polish President Andrzej Duda called the attack a “moment of shock” for global democracy.

Americas

Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” after 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 said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue”.

“The attack against former President Donald Trump must be vehemently repudiated by all defenders of democracy and dialogue in politics. What we saw today is unacceptable,” the Brazilian leader said.

Costa Rica’s government condemned the attack and said it was 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.

“Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it,” said Mr Boric.

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

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he was shocked at the news of an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, adding that

society should never resort to violence.

“I am relieved to hear reports that he is safe and recovering well. Our thoughts are also with the family of the deceased and those injured and impacted by the senseless attack,” he added. “We should never resort to violence regardless of any differences of views.”

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

“Violence has no place in politics and democracies,” said Mr Modi.

China expressed concern about the shooting, Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement on July 14.

“President Xi Jinping has expressed his sympathy to former President Trump,” the statement said.

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

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered his “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims.

“Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies,” he said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said it was “with great relief that we received the news that former president Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assassinate him”.

“Together with all democracy loving people around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence. The voice of the people must always remain supreme,” Mr Marcos said.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “shocked by the terrible scenes” at the Trump campaign event, expressing his 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,” Mr Albanese 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 said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump”.

“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” Mr Netanyahu said.

A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the shooting and called it an “act of political violence.” AFP/REUTERS