Tinubu and Other Global Leaders Denounce Attack on Trump
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders worldwide have condemned the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump during an election rally. Tinubu expressed his sympathy and described the incident as “distasteful,” emphasizing that it goes against democratic values.
Global Reactions
Europe
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed deep shock, stating, “Political violence has no place in a democracy.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, calling the shooting “despicable” and a threat to democracy. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the assassination attempt a “tragedy for our democracies” and expressed solidarity with the American people.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova used the incident to criticize the US, suggesting the funds for Ukraine’s military support be redirected to American law enforcement.
Americas
Argentine President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for the attack, while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the violence and called for political dialogue. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Colombian officials emphasized the need to reject violence in political discourse. Bolivian President Luis Arce stressed that violence must be rejected regardless of political differences.
Asia Pacific
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed sympathy for Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, stating that violence has no place in democracies. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also spoke out against political violence. Philippine President Bongbong Marcos expressed relief over Trump’s safety and condemned the attack.
Middle East
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife were shocked by the attack and prayed for Trump’s recovery. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described the shooting as a “treacherous incident” and hoped for peaceful election campaigns in the US.
Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the attempt a stark reminder of political extremism’s dangers and emphasized that political violence is the antithesis of democracy.
Trump’s Call for Unity
Former President Donald Trump, injured during the assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally, urged Americans to unite and not allow “Evil to win.” In a statement on Truth Social, he credited God for preventing a worse outcome and urged Americans to “FEAR NOT.”
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed, along with a bystander. Two other spectators were critically injured. The motive remains unknown.
Current President Joe Biden, after receiving a briefing on the incident, called the attack “sick” and spoke with Trump. He cut short his vacation to address the crisis, while Melania Trump condemned the gunman as a “monster.”
This shocking event has further intensified the already polarized US presidential race, highlighting the urgent need for unity and peace in political discourse.
