Leaders across the globe, including from Europe and the United Nations, have expressed outrage over the attempted shooting of former US President Donald Trump, at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
The convicted felon and presidential hopeful was grazed on the right ear by a bullet during the attack. The alleged shooter and a bystander were killed, with two others severely injured.
The FBI has identified the suspect as 20-year-old Pennsylvanian, Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was a registered Republican party member, with no criminal record.
Erin Autenreith, 66, recalled sitting in the front row when the shots rang out. "I was right in front of him. Totally overwhelmed. Then I heard bangs... like a 4th of July fireworks, but when they all jumped on stage, surrounding and knocking him over, we realised those were real shots," she said.
The crowd gathered at the real estate mogul's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania screamed in horror as Secret Service members shielded Trump, bundling him off the stage. A bewildered 78-year-old Trump, minus his signature red cap, defiantly raised a fist before being led away in a black vehicle.
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According to Autenreith, the first words Trump uttered after the incident were to request his shoes. She also noticed a bit of blood on his right cheek, which appeared to be from his ear.
As the enormity of the event became clear, tempers flared with Republican supporters venting their anger at the media, who were clearly visible at the scene. An unidentified man scowled at the press, "This is what you wanted, right?"
Violence in politics
Meanwhile, world leaders swiftly responded in condemnation of political violence and offered support.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the act of political violence, wishing Trump a speedy recovery, as stated in a release by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
Joseph Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, criticised the attack, stating: "We are once again witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political figures." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, professed her deep shock at the attack.
The UK’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, declared his dismay. "Political violence in any form has no place in our societies, and my thoughts go to all victims of this attack," he said.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent "thoughts and prayers in these dark hours" to his friend and ally. Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni stated she was closely monitoring the situation in Pennsylvania, hoping for Trump’s speedy recovery and that "dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence" during this election season in the US.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine also expressed his horror and wished Trump a quick recovery. “Such violence has no justification and no place in this world. Violence should never prevail,” he said.
US President Joe Biden, who spoke with his November election rival in the evening, said, "I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information."
Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on democracy supporters and proponents of political dialogue to “firmly condemn” the attack against Trump, while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called to "stand firm against any form of violence challenging democracy," also wishing Trump a speedy recovery.
His Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, expressed strong concern, "I strongly condemn this incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. We wish him a swift recovery."
Americans will vote on 5 November to elect their new president. The race is between Democrat President Joe Biden, who has faced growing calls to step down after a litany of gaffes, and former president Trump, who was recently convicted for multiple felonies, including falsifying business records and attempting to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.
