UK politicians have expressed shock and condemnation following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the outcry, stating he was “appalled,” while Conservative leader Rishi Sunak posted on social media that he was “horrified.” Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, described the attack as “shocking, deeply disturbing, and deeply upsetting.” Trump ally and Reform MP Nigel Farage shared that he was “very upset” but “not shocked.”
Global Outcry and Local Reactions
The shooting, treated as an assassination attempt by US authorities, resulted in the death of one man and left two others critically injured at a rally in Pennsylvania. This incident is the most serious attempt on a president or presidential candidate’s life since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. The suspect, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by security services.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent his best wishes to the former president, emphasizing that “political violence in any form has no place in our societies.” Rishi Sunak echoed this sentiment, stating, “Violence and intimidation must never be allowed to prevail.” Labour MP Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show that the attack was “appalling,” and added that the thoughts of the British government and people were with the US. “This is a horrific incident which we condemn completely and fulsomely,” she said.
Nigel Farage’s Perspective
Mr. Farage, who frequently campaigns alongside the former president, expressed relief that Trump survived the attack, acknowledging the tragedy of the incident. “One person is dead, two more are fighting for their lives in hospital, so it’s an absolutely horrendous incident, and yet somehow I’m not shocked by it,” he said. Farage criticized the negative portrayal of Trump by his opponents, suggesting it could incite such behavior. He agreed that all sides have a responsibility to foster a better political environment.
Responses from the US and Beyond
Following the assassination attempt, President Biden condemned the attack and his team began pulling election advertisements critical of Trump. The White House confirmed that the president was briefed on the attack and spoke to Trump several hours later. President Biden described the shooting as “sick,” adding, “There’s no place in America for this type of violence.”
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, appearing on the BBC1 current affairs program Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, reflected on the necessity of maintaining a civilised democracy. “We’ve got to have that conversation about what a civilised democracy looks like,” she said. “I’ve been having it since Jo was killed. I sadly feel that we’re not making huge amounts of progress in this country, in other countries, and we have got to keep having that conversation.” She emphasized the responsibility everyone holds for their words.
Additional Condemnations
Foreign Secretary David Lammy added his voice to the condemnation, asserting that the government “condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest terms.” Former Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it “a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination,” reminding him of “the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted, “Political violence is wrong… We must all condemn this appalling attempt on Donald Trump’s life.”
For more updates and live coverage, follow our continuing coverage of the events as they unfold.