Washington – World leaders expressed shock after a shooter charged a glitzy media gala in Washington on Saturday night, attended by US President Donald Trump, and relief that there were no casualties. US law enforcement said the sole suspect, armed with “a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives,” has been detained and will face charges Monday in federal court.
United Kingdom
Britain’s prime minister said he was “shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.” “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote on X on Sunday.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was “unacceptable”. “Violence has no place in a democracy,” he said on X. “I extend my full support to Donald Trump.”
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “full solidarity”, “sincere closeness” to Trump, the First Lady, Vance, and all those present at the gala, saying that “no political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information.”
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern in a post by condemning the attempted attack, saying that “violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not by the gun.”
Turkiye
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan condemned “the attempted armed attack that took place last night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. It is gratifying for us that no one was injured, especially President Trump and his esteemed wife Melania.” He added, “in democracies, struggles are waged with ideas; there is no place for any form of violence.”
Canada
The Canadian prime minister said he was “relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe.” “Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney wrote on X.
Mexico
The Mexican president wrote on X that “it is good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events. We send them our respect.” “Violence must never be the way,” Sheinbaum added.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister condemned what he called “the attack that took place tonight against President (Trump).” “Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace,” Sanchez wrote on X.
Hungary
Hungary’s outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said: “There’s no place for violence in politics”. European Union Foreign Policy Chief EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that “political violence has no place in a democracy”.
Kallas said she was “relieved” there were no casualties, adding: “An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear.”
Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took to X, saying she was relieved that the US President was “safe after the terrifying gunshots,” adding that, “violence can never be tolerated anywhere in world.”
