Image source, Getty Images
The Republican presidential candidate was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania, wounding his right ear.
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the gunman in the shooting, which resulted in his death.
US President Joe Biden, Trump’s political rival, called the attack “sick” and said “this type of violence has no place in America.”
- author, Hafsa Khalil
- role, BBC News
But reactions and condemnations poured in from further afield.
“This is a tragedy for our democracy,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
“France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”
He also wished the former president a “speedy recovery”, a sentiment echoed by leaders of many countries, including Spain, Ireland, Italy, Australia, Turkey, Honduras and Israel.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his thoughts were with Trump and all those attending the event, adding that “political violence is never acceptable.”
In addition to the suspect, one spectator was killed and two were seriously injured.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his condolences to the former president and said his thoughts were with all the victims of the attack.
Similarly, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his thoughts were with all those affected and called the attack a “despicable act.”
“Such violent acts threaten democracy,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum echoed the condemnation expressed by other presidents, adding that “peace and democracy must always be options.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump in these dark hours,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote in a social media post.
The right-wing prime minister recently concluded a whirlwind two-week tour with a visit to Trump, who he strongly backs to win again in November’s presidential election.
Countries on the Asian mainland, including Japan, the Philippines, Pakistan and Taiwan, also sent messages.
Indian Prime Minister Nahendra Modi condemned the attack on his friend, saying he was “deeply concerned.”
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping “expressed his condolences” in a statement issued by his official spokesman, adding that China was “concerned” about the shooting.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Russia “always condemns and firmly condemns any use of force in political struggles.”
“We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for a speedy recovery for those injured.”
Peskov added that the United States has a history of similar violence in “political struggles.”
To date, four US presidents have been assassinated and others have been the target of attempted attacks.
