Assassination attempt on Donald Trump provokes condemnation from world leaders

In the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting, a chorus of international voices rose up to denounce the attack on the former American president

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Security personnel reacts as Donald Trump ducks behind the podium after being shot in the ear during a campaign rally at in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:13pm, 14 Jul 2024Updated: 1:30pm, 14 Jul 2024

World leaders reacted with shock to the wounding of Donald Trump in a presumed assassination attempt against the former US president at an election rally.

Presidents and prime ministers globally spoke out against political violence and expressed their support for those affected by the shooting on Saturday, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the shooting and called it an “act of political violence”.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also condemned the attack.

“Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives,” the bloc’s top diplomat said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres listens to then-President Donald Trump speak before a meeting at UN headquarters in 2017. Photo: AP

Australia’s Anthony Albanese described the shooting as “concerning and confronting”, expressing his relief that Trump was safe. “There is no place for violence in the democratic process,” the prime minister said.