World leaders reacted with shock to the wounding of Donald Trump in a presumed 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 Saturday, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the shooting and called it an “act of political violence”.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also condemned the attack.
“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” the bloc’s top diplomat said.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “concerning and confronting”, expressing his relief that Trump was safe. “There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” the prime minister said.
His Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, said it left him “sickened.” Trudeau added: “Political violence is never acceptable.”
New Zealand’s leader Chris Luxon echoed such views, writing “no country should encounter such political violence”.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” at the rally. “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies,” he said.
Referring to “these dark hours”, Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Trump.
Italy’s 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”.
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”.
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,” Boric said.
In Bolivia, President Luis Arce said “despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend”.
“Violence has no place in politics and democracies,” Modi said.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying “we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”
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,” Netanyahu said.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on X it was “with great relief” that he received the news Trump was “fine and well” after the assassination attempt.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” Marcos said. “Together with all democracy loving peoples around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence.”
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, adding his voice to the chorus of condemnation, saying he was “appalled to learn of the shooting incident”.
“On behalf of the Thai people, I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery,” he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
