World stands against political violence after Trump rally shooting

Almost every major world leader has decried the alleged assassination attempt against Donald Trump, echoing pleas against political violence.

Donald Trump surrounded by secret service agent after an apparent assassination attempt. Picture: Rebecca Droke / AFP

Leaders across the globe have condemned the assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump, wishing him a fast recovery regardless of their political histories with him.

The leaders of America’s immediate neighbours, Canada and Mexico, condemned the attack with the latter’s President Andre Manuel López Obrador describing it as “inhumane” and “irrational”.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the alleged assassination.

“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,” Mr Trudeau said.

Newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the alleged attack on X, while leaders across the EU shared condolences with both Mr Trump and the families of victims in the rally crowd.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the incumbent during Donald Trump’s first term in office. Picture: Saul Loeb / AFP

I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.

Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 14, 2024

“I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes,” Sir Keir said.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”

A spokesperson for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres echoed the united sentiment against political violence, as did EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the attack as his predecessor, staunch Trump supporter and fellow populist Jair Bolsonaro, used his statement to call Mr Trump the “greatest world leader of the moment”.

“We hope for your speedy recovery,” the former Brazilian president said on X.

“See you at inauguration.”

Another populist, Argentina’s President Javier Milei decried the “international left” after the attack.

Argentinian President Javier Milei with former US President Donald Trump. Picture: Argentina's Presidency Press Office / AFP

“In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda,” he said on X.

“The desperation of the international left is not surprising, as today it sees its harmful ideology expire and is willing to destabilise democracies and promote violence.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on Donald Trump and the crowd at his Pennsylvania rally. Picture: Alex Halada / AFP

The motive and political ideology of the alleged shooter has not been made available to the public by authorities.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, who met with Mr Trump at the Republican frontrunner’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida just two days before the attack, shared his solidarity in a statement posted on X.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Philippines Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos both shared “thoughts and prayers” to Mr Trump and those present at the rally.

I am appalled to learn about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.

Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.

I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 14, 2024

Russian leader Vladimir Putin made no statement in the aftermath, a notable absence that makes Russia the only UN Security Council permanent member state to stay silent.

In a statement the Beijing foreign ministry said Chinese President Xi Jinping “expressed his condolences” to Trump.

Wartime leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelensky were quick to wish the former president well.

“Never should violence prevail,” Mr Zelensky said. “I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him a speedy recovery.”

The Israeli Prime Minister, a vocal supporter for Trump on the world stage, said he was “shocked” by the attack and prayed for his “safety and speedy recovery.”

The leaders of France and Japan, key global allies to the US, shared their sympathies in the wake of the attack.

“A spectator has died, several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

“France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”