World leaders and governments around the globe responded with shock and condemnation following the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump during an election rally. The incident, which resulted in the death of one bystander and critical injuries to two others, prompted widespread statements against political violence and expressions of support for those affected.
In Europe, reactions were swift and resolute. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed deep shock, emphasizing that political violence has no place in a democracy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the shooting as despicable and a threat to democracy, sentiments echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called it a tragedy for democracies worldwide.
From Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov strongly condemned the violence while also stating that any suggestion of Russian involvement was unfounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both condemned the attack, with Zelensky emphasizing that such violence must never be justified, and Erdogan expressing confidence in a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.
In the Americas, Argentine President Javier Milei attributed the attack to the international left, condemning it as a tactic of terrorism. Presidents across the region, including Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chile’s Gabriel Boric, voiced their condemnation, emphasizing the threat that violence poses to democratic processes.
In the Asia-Pacific region, leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi expressed concern and sympathy, with Modi stating unequivocally that violence has no place in politics. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos similarly condemned political violence, affirming their commitment to democratic principles.
From the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi both denounced the attack, emphasizing the importance of peaceful election campaigns devoid of violence or terrorism.
African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned the attack as an affront to democracy and called for peaceful resolutions to political differences.
Throughout these global reactions, a unified message emerged: political violence is unacceptable, and democratic processes must be protected from such threats. Leaders emphasized the need for dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the rejection of violence in any form.
In other news – Fitness legend Richard Simmons has died
Fitness icon Richard Simmons passed away on July 13 at the age of 76, as confirmed by his representatives to ABC News. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call from his housekeeper that morning and found Simmons deceased at his Los Angeles home. Authorities believe he passed away from natural causes, with no suspicion of foul play.
Just the day before, on July 12, Simmons had celebrated his birthday, expressing gratitude to his fans for their well-wishes on his Facebook page. His last posts reflected his cheerful spirit and engagement with his followers. Read More
