‘Thoughts and prayers’: World reacts to shooting at Donald Trump’s rally

The former President’s eldest daughter has revealed one key thing she believes saved her father during the shooting at his campaign rally.

Ivanka Trump has revealed she believes her late mother was “watching over” her father, former US President Donald Trump, when he was shot on stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In a post on Sunday, Ivanka marked the two-year anniversary of her mum, Ivana Trump’s death - which comes just one day after an assassination attempt on her dad saw him come within an inch of his life.

“Two years ago today, my mom passed away. I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on his life,” Ivanka wrote on social media about her mother Ivana Trump, who died at 73 in 2022.

“I miss her every day and pray for the safety of the family and friends she left behind,” she added.

Ivana Trump, the ex-wife of former President Donald Trump and mother of Ivanka, Eric and Don Jr. died after falling down a staircase in her Manhattan home, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office said at the time.

Donald Trump was whisked off stage by Secret Service personnel at his rally on Saturday after multiple gunshots rang out. He later confirmed a bullet “pierced the upper part of my right ear”, though he was otherwise unharmed.

One member of the crowd is dead, as is the shooter, who has since been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20. Two other attendees were taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Ivanka Trump thanked her followers for their ‘love and prayers’. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP

Former president Donald Trump was rushed offstage during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after an apparent shooting. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via AFP

In an earlier post on social media platform X, Trump’s eldest daughter thanked her followers for their support before making a heartfelt declaration.

“Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence,” the 42-year-old said.

“I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always.”

‘Everybody must condemn it’: Biden’s message to nation

Joe Biden has addressed the nation after the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign rally.

The President appeared briefly before the press in Delaware, where he had been spending the weekend at his beach home, and urged Americans to “condemn” the incident.

“The bottom line is, the Trump rally is a rally that he should have been able to be conducted peacefully without any problem. But the idea, the idea that there is political violence or violence like this in America is just unheard of,” he said.

“It is inappropriate. Everybody must condemn it. Everybody.”

Joe Biden has addressed the nation after a shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign rally.

Asked if he believed it to be an “assassination attempt”, Mr Biden responded: “I have an opinion but not facts. I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make more comments.”

The White House confirmed Mr Biden has spoken with Trump. He will also cut his Delaware visit short to return to Washington DC.

In the meantime, the Biden campaign has paused “all outbound communications” and said in a statement it was working to pull down its TV advertisements “as quickly as possible” in deference to the seriousness of the moment.

In a statement shared to social media prior to his address, the 81-year-old said he was “grateful to hear” that Trump was “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,” Mr Biden added.

“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Asked if he had been briefed on the shooting as he left church in Delaware, the President simply responded: “No.”

Politicians, leaders send ‘prayers’ to Trump

Politicians from across the divide and world leaders were among those to issue messages of support for the presumptive Republican presidential candidate’s “swift” recovery. Like Mr Biden, many also condemned the act of “political violence”.

Vice President Kamala Harris extended her prayers to Trump and his family, “and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting”.

“We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action,” she said.

“Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP

Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, said in a statement there was “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy”.

“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” the former President added.

“Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

Fellow former President, George W Bush, characterised the shooting as a “cowardly attack on (Trump’s) life”.

“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe,” he said.

“And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”

There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was “concerning and confronting”.

“There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” he said.

“I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump”, adding: “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident is ‘concerning and confronting’. Picture: Liam Kidston

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ‘shocked’. Picture: Nir Elias/POOL/AFP

Billionaire Elon Musk took the opportunity to publicly endorse “President Trump” in a post on X, and said he hoped “for his rapid recovery”.

Republicans were swift to send their prayers to Trump, including those contending to be his running mate in the upcoming election.

“God protected President Trump,” one such candidate, Marco Rubio, wrote.

“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally,” Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, said in a statement.

“Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.”

He'll never stop fighting to Save America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qT4Vd0sVTm

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 13, 2024

My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump.

I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response.

America is a democracy.

Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) July 13, 2024

“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wrote.

“It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a harsh Trump critic, shared a similar sentiment, posting: “There is no place for political violence in this country, period. This is not how we solve our differences.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump,” Democratic House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, said in a post on X.

“I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”

The Senate’s Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said in a statement he was “horrified” by the incident, and “relieved that former President Trump is safe”.

“Political violence has no place in our country.”

Originally published as ‘Thoughts and prayers’: World reacts to shooting at Donald Trump’s rally