US election campaign - Trump injured in assassination attempt - worldwide shock
An attempt on the republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has disrupted the campaign in the USA and raised fears of a political violence spiral. During a campaign event in the state of Pennsylvania, a 78-year-old man was injured by a shooting incident on the stage on a Saturday (local time). The attack caused worldwide outrage.
The shooter was killed by security personnel, according to the agency responsible for Trump's protection, the Secret Service. One spectator was reportedly killed, and two others were injured and in critical condition. According to the police in Pennsylvania, the victims were adult men.
The FBI identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from the vicinity of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. There was still no information regarding a possible motive. "There is no indication that the threat continues," a representative of the FBI said.
Bleeding Ear and Raised Fist
Trump had entered the stage in the small town of Butler around 6:00 p.m. (local time) to give a campaign speech to his supporters. He had just begun his speech when suddenly several gunshots were heard. People screamed.
Trump put his hand to his ear and then ducked to the ground. Security personnel rushed to the stage and shielded him. Trump, supported by Secret Service agents, left the stage with a bleeding ear and raised his fist in the air.
The Secret Service reported that the suspected shooter had opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event site. An eyewitness told a TV network that spectators had seen an armed man on the roof of a house nearby just before the incident. US media reported that investigators had found an assault rifle.
Panic in the Audience
Panic ensued in the audience after the incident. The event site was evacuated. The area around the stage was cordoned off with yellow police tape and secured by heavily armed response teams.
Trump was initially examined by medical personnel. He was reportedly hit by a bullet in the right ear on his Truth Social platform. According to media reports, Trump was able to leave the hospital shortly afterwards. He reportedly left Butler later that evening. A video on the platform X showed him arriving in New Jersey later. "Strong and unyielding. He will never stop fighting for America," a spokesperson for Trump, Margo Martin, wrote in a statement.
Attempted assassination in the midst of the campaign
Trump is running for the Republicans in the presidential election on November 5 and intends to challenge the democratic incumbent Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term. The Republican Party plans to hold the nominating convention in Milwaukee on Monday, where Trump is to be officially declared the party's candidate for the election.
The party intends to hold the nominating convention as planned despite the incident. This was stated in a joint statement by the party and Trump's campaign team.
Biden condemned the attack on Trump sharply. "I'm relieved to hear that he is safe and doing well," Biden said in a written statement shortly after the incident. He prayed for Trump and his family and for all those who had attended the rally. Such violence has no place in America.
Later, Biden appeared in Rehoboth Beach in the state of Delaware, where the Democrat was spending the weekend, in front of the cameras before that. "That's sick, that's sick," he said in a short statement about the incident. According to the White House, Biden and Trump spoke with each other personally. Biden wanted to leave his weekend stay in Delaware early and return to the White House that evening.
Concern over escalation of violence
US Vice President Kamala Harris warned after the attack about the escalation of violence in the USA. "We all must condemn this heinous act and contribute to ensuring it does not lead to further violence," the Democrat urged on X.
Many high-ranking representatives of both parties condemned the attack, including former President Barack Obama, Democratic party leader Nancy Pelosi, Republican House of Representatives chairman, Mike Johnson, and many more.
Worldwide shock
The incident was met with shock internationally. EU High Representative Josep Borrell wrote that he was shocked by the news. "Once again we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against politicians."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, expressing her condolences to Trump's family for the innocent death victim and her sympathy. "Political violence has no place in a democracy."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the attack on Trump on X "despicable." He declared: "Such violence endangers democracy." His thoughts were also with the people affected by the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack on X as a "tragedy for our democracies."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also shocked. Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X, wishing Trump a quick recovery "in the name of the entire Israeli people."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres had a spokesperson issue a statement, wishing Trump a speedy recovery and condemning the violence unequivocally.
Heated atmosphere in the USA
The political atmosphere in the USA has been heated for years. The US Justice Department lamented at the beginning of the year an "alarming increase in threats" against public officials and democratic institutions in the country. After the 2020 election, tensions in the country reached a violent peak with an attack on the US Capitol. At that time, Trump refused to accept his election loss to Biden and stirred up his supporters with fraud allegations for months.
- The incident in Pennsylvania has prompted concerns about criminality during the upcoming US Election 2024.
- Despite the disturbance in Pittsburgh, the Republikans are determined to proceed with their nominating convention in Milwaukee.
- The FBI is investigating whether the shooting was related to the US election campaign, given the heated atmosphere in America.
- Joe Biden expressed his concern over the escalation of violence in the United States of America and offered his prayers for Trump and those affected.
- In Delaware, Biden urged for unity and peace, condemning any form of political violence that threatens America's democratic values.
- US Media repeatedly broadcasted footage of the attack, causing widespread apprehension and anxiety among the American public.
- In response to the incident, various Federal Police agencies have increased security measures at political events across the country.
- Both Republican and Democratic leaders condemned the attack, calling for unity and stressing the importance of peaceful elections.
- World leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed their solidarity and support for the United States of America.
- International organizations, such as the UN and the EU, strongly condemned the violence and offered their assistance in maintaining peace and order during the US election campaign.
