"I'm praying for him and his family and everyone who attended the campaign as we wait for more information," Biden said.
Former President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, took an unexpected and dramatic turn last Saturday when shots were fired. This shooting not only caused panic among those present, but also provoked an outpouring of response from world leaders, politicians and the general public.
During the rally, where Trump spoke about immigration and his achievements as president, shots suddenly rang out. According to witnesses, it initially looked like a balloon burst, but it soon became clear that it was gunfire. The shots appeared to come from an elevated position outside the rally location. Secret Service agents responded immediately, circling Trump and escorting him off stage. One bullet hit Trump in his right ear, leading to blood on his face.
A spectator was fatally shot, and two others were seriously injured. The suspected shooter, a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania, was shot at the scene by Secret Service.
The international community reacted with shock. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly condemned the attack, as did Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who described the violence as “unacceptable” and expressed their support for Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke out against political violence and emphasized the need for peace and security in democratic processes.
In the United States itself, the incident provoked a wide range of reactions from politicians from both parties. President Joe Biden, who had just returned to Washington, declared that there is no place for political violence in America. He thanked the Secret Service for their quick action and expressed his support for Trump and the affected families.
Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also condemned the violence and called for civil manners in politics. Kamala Harris, the vice president, emphasized that she and her husband were relieved that Trump was not seriously injured and that they are praying for those affected.
The shooting led to an avalanche of speculation and reactions on social media. Elon Musk called for the resignation of the director of the Secret Service and gave Trump his official support. Investors predicted that the incident would boost Trump's re-election chances, leading to a surge in Bitcoin.
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies said they are leading the investigation into the shooting. While a motive has not yet been established, they have confirmed that there is no further threat to the public. The Secret Service is now under fire and accused of security failures.
This shooting incident raises serious questions about the security of political events and the increasing tensions in the run-up to the elections. The Republican National Convention, which starts Monday in Milwaukee, is now under increased security. It is still unclear how this incident will affect Trump's campaign, but it will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the political landscape of the United States.
