Lula and other world leaders reject violence at Trump rally
Brasil de Fato
World leaders used social media to reject the violent attack the former President of the United States, Donald Trump, suffered and to show solidarity. Support came from across the political spectrum.
On the social media platform X, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated “The attack on former President Donald Trump must be vehemently condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue. What we saw today is unacceptable.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro also talked about the episode. Although Venezuela suffers from the US economic blockade, which has been hardened under the Trump administration, Maduro repudiated the attack, wished Trump a speedy recovery and also wished the people of the United States peace and tranquility.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that President Xi Jinping expressed his “compassion and sympathy” for Trump.
Far-wing politician Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, used social media to spread disinformation and conspiracy theories about the attack. He claimed that the “international left” is resorting to terrorism and republished a series of posts with the same content without any evidence. The suspected attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was affiliated with the Republican Party, but had donated US$15 to a group that encourages liberals to vote. He was killed by security forces and his reason for perpetrating the attack remains unknown. Milei also shared posts criticizing media coverage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wished Trump a speedy recovery and offered his condolences to the family of the rally attendee who was killed. “I want America to emerge stronger,” he posted on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not comment. The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, used the attack to criticize US foreign policy. She questioned whether, instead of sending arms to Ukraine, the US should “use this money to finance the American police and other services that are supposed to guarantee law and order within the United States”.
European Union leaders and UN representatives also condemned the political violence and showed solidarity with Trump.
