President Joe Biden and other political leaders have condemned the shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, where Donald Trump, Biden’s election rival, was targeted.
Trump was quickly escorted offstage with apparent injuries, prompting widespread condemnation. At least one bystander was reported killed in the violence.
Biden, speaking with reporters from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, stressed the need for national unity and denounced political violence, urging all Americans to reject such actions.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country… We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.
“The idea that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody must condemn it. Everybody,” Biden said.
Vice President Kamala Harris offered prayers for Trump and those affected by the shooting.
Former President Barack Obama echoed Biden’s sentiments, stressing the incompatibility of political violence with democracy.
George W. Bush denounced the attack as cowardly, expressing relief that Trump was safe and praising the Secret Service’s response.
Elon Musk publicly endorsed Trump following the incident, expressing support for his recovery.