President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria joined other world leaders in condemning the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at an election rally. In a statement on his verified X handle, Tinubu described the incident as “distasteful,” adding that it “goes beyond the pale of democratic norms.” He extended his sympathies to the former president and wished him relief.
Other world leaders and governments also reacted with shock to the assassination attempt, condemning political violence and expressing their support for those affected by the shooting, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her shock, stating, “Political violence has no place in a democracy.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the shooting “despicable” and said, “such acts of violence threaten democracy.” French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the assassination attempt as a “tragedy for our democracies” and expressed France's solidarity with the American people.
Russia used the incident to criticize Washington’s policies. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that the US should prioritize funding its police and services to ensure law and order. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the violence and wished Trump a speedy recovery.
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In South America, Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for the attack, while Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the shooting and called for defenders of democracy and political dialogue to denounce such violence. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Colombian authorities also condemned the violence, emphasizing the need for peaceful political and electoral debate.
China’s President Xi Jinping expressed sympathy for Trump, with a spokesperson stating Beijing was “closely following” the incident. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern and reiterated that “violence has no place in politics and democracies.” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also condemned the attack, calling for a stand against political violence.
Middle Eastern leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, expressed their shock and wished for a peaceful continuation of US election campaigns.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the attempt as a “stark reminder of the dangers of political extremism” and condemned political violence.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump called on Americans to unite following the assassination attempt. The 78-year-old was injured in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump emphasized the need for unity and resilience against “Evil.” The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed in the incident, along with a bystander. Two spectators were critically injured. The motive remains unknown.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “sick” and expressed his support for Trump. Biden cut short a weekend trip to deal with the crisis. Trump's wife, Melania, denounced the gunman as a “monster” attempting to silence her husband's voice.
