Iran Press/ America: Former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance.
Trump’s campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing “fine” after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear.
The shooting has elicited strong reactions from both Republicans and Democrats. Republicans have swiftly shifted from outrage to admiration for Trump's defiant response, portraying him as a victim of political persecution. They have blamed their political opponents, drawing parallels to historical events to justify their claims, despite the lack of concrete information about the shooter.
Trump's allies, including his children and political figures, have seized the opportunity to rally support for him, depicting the incident as a testament to his unwavering commitment. This rapid and intense response from Trump loyalists underscores the deep-seated anger and sense of victimization prevalent among his supporters.
On the other hand, Democrats have publicly denounced the political violence but are concerned about the potential fallout of the incident on Biden's candidacy. There are fears that the shooting could lead to a surge in support for Trump and pose a challenging road ahead for Biden's campaign. Democrats are also grappling with Biden's ability to navigate the crisis and project strength in the face of adversity.
Biden, Starmer Reacts
US President Joe Biden has condemned the shooting of his reelection rival, saying, "I am grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden told reporters hours after the incident. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America."
“We cannot allow this to be happening,” Biden said. The president added that he is hoping to speak to Trump soon.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his social media account "X", wrote: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes."
He further wrote: Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.
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