Washington (United States) (AFP) – World leaders expressed their shock after a gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night in the presence of President Donald Trump, and expressed their relief that there were no casualties.
US law enforcement authorities said that the sole suspect, armed with a “hunting rifle, a pistol, and several knives,” was arrested and will appear on Monday before a federal court.
The following are the most prominent international reactions:
– Keir Starmer –
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed Sunday his “shock at the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.”
He added in a post on the X platform that “any attack on democratic institutions or freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
-Benjamin Netanyahu-
The Israeli prime minister said he and his wife, Sarah, were “shocked by the assassination attempt” on Trump.
Netanyahu added on the X platform, “We are relieved that the president and the first lady are safe and in good health.”
He continued, “We wish a full and speedy recovery for the injured policeman, and we salute the US Secret Service for its quick and decisive action.”
-Georgia Meloni-
The Italian Prime Minister expressed her “full solidarity and sincere sympathy” with Trump and the rest of those attending the ceremony.
“There is no place for political hatred in our democracies,” Meloni said. “We will not allow intolerance to poison spaces for free debate and information.”
– Viktor Orbán –
“There is no place for violence in politics,” said outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally.
– Emmanuel Macron –
The French President condemned an “unacceptable” attack, expressing his “support” for Donald Trump.
“The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. There is no place for violence in a democracy. I express my full support for Donald Trump,” Macron wrote on the X platform.
– Recep Tayyip Erdogan –
The Turkish President condemned the incident, saying, “In democracies, struggles are fought with ideas. There is no place for any form of violence.”
– Narendra Modi –
The Indian Prime Minister said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and the Vice President are safe and unharmed.”
“I wish them lasting safety and well-being,” he wrote on the X platform. “Violence has no place in a democracy and must be categorically condemned.”
– Mark Carney –
The Canadian Prime Minister said he was “relieved that the President, the First Lady and all the guests are safe.”
“There is no place for political violence in any democracy, and I stand in solidarity with all those shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney added on the X platform.
-Friedrich Merz-
The German Chancellor said that “violence has no place in democracy,” and wrote on the X platform, “We decide by the majority, not by weapons.”
Mertz added that he “feels relieved that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and all those present are fine.”
-Claudia Sheinbaum-
“It is good that President Trump and his wife are safe in the wake of recent events. We send them our respect,” the Mexican president wrote on the X platform.
“Violence should never be the way,” Sheinbaum added.
– Ursula von der Leyen –
The President of the European Commission expressed her “relief” that Trump, his wife Melania, and those attending the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner were not harmed.
“There is absolutely no place for violence in politics,” she added in a post on X.
– Kaya Callas –
The European Union’s foreign affairs chief denounced “political violence” after the shooting in Washington.
In a post on
– Pedro Sanchez –
The Spanish Prime Minister condemned “tonight’s attack on President Trump.”
“Violence is never the solution. Humanity will only advance through democracy, coexistence and peace,” Sanchez wrote on the X platform.
– Shehbaz Sharif –
The Pakistani prime minister said he was “deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident.”
Sherif added on the X platform, “I feel relieved that President Trump, the First Lady, and the attendees are fine… and I wish him continued safety and wellness.”
