Tinubu and Global Leaders Denounce Trump Assassination Attempt as ‘Distasteful’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined other world leaders yesterday to condemn the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at an election rally.

Tinubu, in a statement on his verified X handle, described the incident as “distasteful,” adding that it “goes beyond the pale of democratic norms.”

“I extend my sympathies to the former president and wish him relief,” he added.

Other world leaders and governments reacted with shock to the assassination attempt, speaking against political violence and expressing their support for those affected by Saturday’s shooting, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.

Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “deeply shocked” by the attack. “Political violence has no place in a democracy,” she stated.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the shooting “despicable” and said “such acts of violence threaten democracy.”

French President Emmanuel Macron called the assassination attempt a “tragedy for our democracies.” He added, “France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”

Russia urged the United States to “take stock” of its “policies of incitement to hatred,” using the assassination attempt to criticize Washington’s military support for Ukraine. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented, “Perhaps it would be better to use this money to fund the American police and other services that are supposed to ensure law and order in the United States?”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his horror at the shooting and wished Trump a “speedy recovery.” He stated, “Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail.”

Americas

Argentina’s President Javier Milei blamed the “international left” for the assassination attempt, suggesting they resort to terrorism when facing electoral defeat. “In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda,” said the populist president.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”

Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his “unqualified condemnation” of the shooting, stating, “Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it.”

Colombia’s government conveyed its “solidarity with the United States at this difficult time,” emphasizing that violence has no place in the political and electoral debate.

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce condemned the violence despite ideological differences. “Despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone,” he said.

Asia Pacific

China’s Xi Jinping expressed his “compassion and sympathy” for Trump, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying Beijing was “closely following” the incident.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend.” He added, “Violence has no place in politics and democracies.”

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke against political violence, emphasizing, “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy.”

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te offered his “sincere condolences” to the shooting victims. “Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies,” he stated.

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos expressed relief that Trump was fine after the assassination attempt. “Together with all democracy-loving peoples around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence. The voice of the people must always remain supreme,” Marcos said.

Middle East

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his wife Sara, expressed shock at the attack. “We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” Netanyahu stated.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described the shooting as a “treacherous incident.” Sisi wished the US election campaigns to continue in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free of any manifestations of terrorism, violence, or hatred.

Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the attempt served as “a stark reminder of the dangers of political extremism.” He added, “Political violence is the antithesis of democracy,” and wished Trump a “speedy recovery.” Ramaphosa urged Americans to reject violence and seek peaceful solutions.

Trump Urges Americans to Unite

Meanwhile, Donald Trump called on Americans to stand united after being injured in the assassination attempt, marking a dark new chapter in the already polarized US presidential race. The 78-year-old former president was hit in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while the shooter and a bystander were killed, and two spectators critically injured in the worst act of US political violence in decades.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united,” Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social network, adding that Americans should not allow “evil to win.” The Republican credited God with preventing a greater tragedy and declared he would “FEAR NOT.”

The gunman has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about an hour’s drive from the rally site, according to an FBI statement. His motive remains unknown.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on the assassination attempt against his rival. The 81-year-old Democrat called the attack “sick” and spoke to Trump afterward. He cut short a weekend at his vacation home and flew back to Washington to address the crisis. Trump’s wife, Melania, described the gunman as a “monster” who attempted to silence her husband’s “laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”