USA Attempted assassination attempt on Trump triggers worldwide horror
An attempted assassination attempt on the Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has caused great horror worldwide and fueled fears of a political spiral of violence in the USA in the middle of the election campaign. During a campaign event in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, the 78-year-old was injured in a gun attack on stage.
14.07.2024, 07:50
SDA
The shooter was killed by security forces, according to the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the ex-president. One spectator died in the attack and two others were injured and are in a critical condition. According to the police in Pennsylvania, the victims were adult men.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not initially provide any information on the identity or motive of the suspected perpetrator. Several US media outlets reported that it was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania. Many questions were still unanswered. However, there was no reason to believe that the threat would continue, an FBI representative said at a press conference.
Bleeding ear and raised fist
Trump had taken to a stage in the small town of Butler at around 6 p.m. (local time) to give a campaign speech in front of supporters. He had just begun his speech when suddenly several shots were heard. People screamed.
Trump then grabbed his ear and ducked to the ground. Security personnel ran onto the stage and shielded him. Upright and supported by Secret Service agents, he left the stage with a bleeding ear. He raised his fist in the air.
The Secret Service said the suspected gunman opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the venue. An eyewitness told a TV station that onlookers had seen an armed man lying on the roof of a house shortly beforehand. According to US media, investigators found an assault rifle.
Panic in the audience
Panic broke out in the audience after the incident. The venue was evacuated. The area around the stage was cordoned off with yellow flutter tape and secured by heavily armed emergency services.
Trump was initially medically examined. He had been hit by a bullet in his right ear, the Republican wrote on the Truth Social platform, which he co-founded. According to media reports, Trump was able to leave the hospital a short time later. He is said to have left Butler that evening.
Attempted assassination in the middle of the election campaign
Trump is running for the Republican Party in the presidential election on November 5 and wants to challenge Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, who is running for a second term. The Republican Party convention begins on Monday in Milwaukee, where Trump is to be officially chosen as his party's candidate for the election.
The party intends to hold the nomination convention as planned despite the incident. This was announced by the party and Trump's campaign team in a joint statement.
Biden strongly condemned the attack on Trump. "I am grateful to hear that he is safe and well," he said in a written statement immediately after the incident. He said he was praying for him and Trump's family and for everyone at the rally. This kind of violence has no place in America.
Biden later appeared before the cameras in Rehoboth Beach in the state of Delaware, where the Democrat was staying at the weekend. "This is sick, this is sick," he said in a short speech about the incident. According to the White House, Biden and Trump spoke personally on the phone. Biden wanted to cut short his weekend stay in Delaware that evening and return to the White House early.
Concerns about a spiral of violence
Following the attack, US Vice President Kamala Harris warned of an escalation of violence in the USA. "We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to further violence", the Democrat warned on X.
A number of high-ranking representatives from both parties condemned the attack, including former President Barack Obama, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Republican leader of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson and many more.
Horror worldwide
The incident was also received with dismay internationally. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell wrote that he was shocked by the news. "Once again we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against politicians."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X that she wished Trump a speedy recovery and expressed her condolences to the family of the innocent victim. "Political violence has no place in a democracy."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his shock. Israeli President Izchak Herzog wrote on X that he wished Trump a speedy recovery "on behalf of the entire Israeli people".
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said via a spokesperson that he sent Trump his best wishes for a speedy recovery. He clearly condemned the act of violence.
Heated mood in the USA
The political mood in the USA has been heated for years. At the beginning of the year, the US Department of Justice lamented a "deeply troubling increase in threats" against public officials and democratic institutions in the country. After the 2020 election, the turmoil in the country culminated in a violent attack on the US Capitol. At the time, Trump had refused to accept his election defeat against Biden and incited his supporters for months with claims of election fraud.
