President Bola Tinubu joined global leaders in condemning the attack on former United States President Donald Trump. Tinubu expressed his sentiments on his official X handle on Sunday, following the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The attack, which left one person dead and two others critically injured, saw Trump swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents.
“Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated on Sunday.
Reacting to the incident, Tinubu remarked, “The attack on former President Donald Trump is distasteful and goes beyond the pale of democratic norms. Violence has no place in democracy. I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.”
Global leaders echoed similar sentiments, condemning the attack and underscoring the threat such violence poses to democratic principles. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her shock, stating, “Political violence has no place in a democracy.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the shooting as “despicable” and highlighted the dangers such acts pose to democracy. French President Emmanuel Macron called the attempt on Trump’s life a “tragedy for our democracies,” adding, “France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the violence while suggesting that Trump’s life has been in danger due to various attempts to remove him from the political scene. However, Peskov clarified that Russia does not believe the attempt was organized by the current U.S. administration.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his dismay, emphasizing that “such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced confidence in the effectiveness of the investigation and the swift justice for those responsible.
The Vatican issued a statement highlighting the injury to people and democracy caused by the violent episode, while Brazil’s President Luiz Lula da Silva called for a strong condemnation from all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.
China’s Xi Jinping extended his “compassion and sympathy” to Trump, with a foreign ministry spokesman noting Beijing’s close monitoring of the situation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep concern over the attack on his friend.
The FBI has declared the investigation “active and ongoing,” urging anyone with information to assist by submitting photos or videos online.