Former U.S. President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The attack, which resulted in two fatalities, including the assailant, and two serious injuries, has reverberated across the globe, drawing widespread condemnation and concern.
The assassination attempt occurred just minutes into Trump’s speech, approximately 50 kilometers from Pittsburgh. Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots, after which Trump fell to the ground, clutching his ear. Secret Service agents quickly shielded him from further harm. Despite his bloodied face and ear, Trump managed to stand up on his own, raising a clenched fist to the crowd, who responded with chants of “USA!”
— Dominik Tarczyński MEP (@D_Tarczynski) July 14, 2024
CNN, at around 8:00 AM Polish time, reported that the FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
The incident has elicited strong reactions from Polish politicians across the political spectrum, who have taken to social media to express their views.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, head of the Ministry of National Defense, denounced the attack, calling it “shocking and unacceptable.” He extended his condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “This tragic event shows where rampant hatred leads. This unbridled aggression must be condemned.”
Paweł Jabłoński of the Law and Justice party (PiS) echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the broader implications of the attack. “The assassination attempt on Donald Trump is not only an attempt on his life but also an effort to deprive Americans of their democratic right to choose in the upcoming fall elections. It deserves the highest condemnation.”
As the investigation continues, the global community watches closely, reflecting on the increasing polarization and violence that has come to characterize political discourse in recent years.