HONG KONG — World leaders expressed concern Sunday after an assassination attempt aimed at former U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania that left one protester dead and two seriously injured, condemning the violence that shocked the world.
Trump’s campaign said the Republican front-runner was shot above his right ear but was in “good spirits” after being carried off the stage.
The Secret Service said it shot and killed a suspect who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
As world leaders condemned the attack, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said US lawmakers should use funds allocated for arms supplies to Ukraine to fund US police “to ensure law and order”.
Albania
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on social media platform X that he had witnessed Trump being shot while speaking at a rally and was “heartbroken” to hear that one attendee had died.
“This is a tragedy for the democratic world,” he said.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the assassination attempt as an outrageous attack on the democratic values shared by the United States and Australia.
“In Australia, as in the United States, the very essence and purpose of democracy is to express our views, to debate our differences and to resolve our differences peacefully,” Albanese told reporters at Australia’s Parliament House.
Austria
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on social media platform X that he was appalled by the attack.
“Political violence has no place in our society! My heart goes out to all the victims of this attack!” he said.
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a statement that the incident was unacceptable and that all defenders of democracy and political interlocutors must “strongly condemn” the attack.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X that he was saddened by the shooting and that his thoughts were with President Trump, those attending the event, and all Americans.
“It cannot be emphasized enough that political violence will never be tolerated,” he wrote.
China
China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China was concerned about the attack and that President Xi Jinping had already paid tribute to Trump.
Czech Republic
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala strongly condemned the attack and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed concern in a statement, underscoring his country’s condemnation of the attack and saying he hopes the US election campaign will resume in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free from any aspects of terrorism, violence and hatred.
El Salvador
The Salvadoran presidential palace said President Najib Bukele condemned the “assassination attempt” against President Trump.
“There is no place for violence in a democracy,” the presidential office said in a press release published on X.
Estonia
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas posted on X that she was shocked by the shooting and that her thoughts were with the victims. “Any form of political violence can never be justified,” she wrote.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron sent a message to Trump wishing him a speedy recovery. “This is a drama for our democracy. France shares the indignation of the American people,” Macron wrote on X.
Finland
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Twitter he was shocked by the attack but glad to see Trump in good health. He strongly condemned the attack and all acts of political violence.
Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that the attack was “despicable” and that such violence is a threat to democracy. “My sympathies go also to the others injured in the attack,” he said.
Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday that his thoughts and prayers were with President Trump “in these dark hours.”
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter he was deeply concerned by the “attack on a friend.”
“We strongly condemn this incident. Violence has no place in politics or in our democracy,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died, those injured, and the American people.”
Iraq
Masrour Barzani, prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, condemned the attack on X “in the strongest terms” and said his thoughts were with the victims of “this senseless act of terror.”
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X that he “completely and unequivocally” condemned the assassination attempt on Trump, adding that on behalf of the Israeli people he prayed for Trump’s speedy recovery and that his thoughts were with the victim and his family.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Trump a speedy recovery, saying in a statement he hoped “dialogue and responsibility will prevail over hatred and violence in the coming months of the campaign.”
Japan
“We must resolutely stand up against any violence that challenges our democracy. I pray for a speedy recovery for former President Trump,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Xinhua.
Kosovo
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the assassination attempt on Mr. X.
“Political differences in a democracy must always be expressed through peaceful speech and protest and resolved through free and fair elections.”
Latvia
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also said in a statement that he was shocked by the attack, adding that political violence was unacceptable and deplorable.
Lithuania
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda posted on X that he was shocked and appalled by the shooting and strongly condemned acts of political violence.
Mexico
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the attack on Mr X, saying “violence is irrational and inhumane.”
Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gaer Storre wrote to X that he was saddened by the attack and condemned all forms of political violence.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the shooting a “shocking development”. He condemned all violence in politics and said he prayed for the former president’s speedy recovery and good health.
Russia
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel that US lawmakers should redirect funds used to supply arms to Ukraine “to the US police and other services ensuring law and order in the United States.”
South Korea
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeo said on Twitter he was appalled by the “abhorrent act” of political violence, adding that South Koreans stood in solidarity with the American people.
Slovakia
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May, condemned the shooting in a Facebook post, drawing direct comparisons between the two incidents and suggesting the attack on Trump was the result of electioneering by his political opponents.
Sweden
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christersson condemned the “horrific attack” and said his country’s thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said his thoughts and prayers were with President Trump regarding X, adding that “political violence in any form will never be tolerated in our democracy.”
turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination attempt on Mr. X and offered his congratulations to President Trump, his family and supporters.
He said he believed “the investigation into the attack will be carried out effectively” to avoid damaging the U.S. elections.
European Commission
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was deeply shocked by the shooting at X, adding that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Philippines
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Twitter he was relieved to learn Trump was safe and condemned the attack.
“The voice of the people must always come first,” he said.
Ukraine
Also on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was horrified to learn of the shooting and that such violence is unjustifiable, adding that he was relieved to hear that Trump was safe.
President Zelenskyy said he wished strength to all those horrified by the incident.
England
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the “shocking scenes” at X and sent his heartfelt congratulations to Trump and his family.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our society and my thoughts go out to all the victims of this attack,” he said.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a close ally of Trump, said it was a “miracle” that the former president survived the assassination attempt.
“I am grateful that he is safe, but at the same time I am reminded of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and injustice,” he wrote to X.
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Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.
