Chairperson Joe Biden gave a speech Saturday night after former President Donald Trump used to be was injured and carried off the stage when the gun went off. at his political campaign.
“America does not accept this kind of violence,” Biden said in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“It’s horrible,” Biden said. “It’s horrible.”
“That’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” the president said. “We can’t let this happen. We can’t be like this. We can’t tolerate this.”
Biden said he hoped to speak to Trump soon, adding that “he seems to be doing fine.”
Political violence “is unprecedented, inappropriate and must be condemned by everyone,” he said.
President Joe Biden speaks after his Republican rival Donald Trump was wounded following a shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, at the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, July 13, 2024.
Samuel Corum | AFP | Getty Images
Asked if he believed the shooting was an attempt to assassinate Trump, Biden said he had an “opinion” but wanted to gather more information before commenting further.
Trump’s campaign said shortly after the incident that he was “fine and being evaluated at a local medical facility.” Trump has seen with blood on face and ears when he was evacuated by the Secret Service.
The US Secret Service said “the former president is safe” and is investigating the apparent shooting.
In a written statement Saturday evening, Biden, who is running for re-election against Trump, said he was glad to hear that Trump was “safe and well.”
“My prayers are with him, his family and all those at the rally as we await more information,” Biden said in a statement.
“There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as a nation to condemn it,” the president said.
Biden’s statement and remarks came after a wave of support for Trump from both political allies and opponents, who strongly condemned all forms of political violence.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with a bloodied face as multiple gunshots ring out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024.
Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters
Both of Trump’s predecessors, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, shared relief that Trump did not appear to be seriously injured.
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” Obama said in a statement about X. “While we still don’t know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and take this moment to recommit to civility and respect in politics.”
Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush were “grateful that President Trump is safe after the cowardly attack on his life.”
Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in a 2011 assassination attempt and has since become a gun control activist, wrote: “Political violence is scary. I know that.
“I am keeping former President Trump and all those affected by today’s inexcusable violence in my thoughts. Political violence is un-American and should never be tolerated — ever,” Giffords wrote.
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are “relieved that [Trump] not seriously injured.”
“Violence like this has no place in our country. We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure it does not lead to further violence,” Harris said.
Not all reactions are objective.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a fierce critic of Biden, is said to be recently donated for a pro-Trump super PACwritten on X within an hour of the shooting: “I fully support President Trump and hope he gets well soon.”
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
