Biden says he prays for Trump and condemns ‘violence’

The US president spoke out about the attack during the Republican’s rally in Pennsylvania; then called his opponent directly

US President Joe Biden condemned the shooting that took place this Saturday (13.Jul.2024) during a Donald Trump campaign rally. In a statement, the US leader said he prays for his opponent in the race for the White House and for everyone who was at the event. The Democrat later called the Republican directly (read more below).

“I am grateful to know that he is safe and well. […] Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There is no place for this type of violence in America. We must come together as a nation to condemn it.”he said. Here is the full text (PDF – 23 kB, in English).

“The Trump rally is something that should have been conducted peacefully without any problems. The idea that there is political violence or violence in the United States in this way is simply unheard of, it is not appropriate. Everyone should condemn this.”he stated.

Watch (2min37s):

DIRECT LINK

After Trump was treated at a hospital and returned to New Jersey, Biden called the Republican and had a direct conversation for the first time in years, according to the CNN. The channel described the contact as “brief and respectful”, but did not give details about what was said.

In addition to the Republican, the US president also spoke with the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro (Democrat), and the mayor of Butler, Bob Dandoy (Republican).

UNDERSTAND THE CASE

On Saturday (July 13), Trump had to be rushed out of the campaign event, held in Butler, Pennsylvania, by Secret Service agents after shots were fired at the location.

According to information from the news agency APthe shooter was killed. A person in the audience also died.

The Republican Party candidate for the White House was giving a speech when gunshots rang out. He put his hand to his right ear, suggesting that he might have been hit by something in the area. He was then removed from the scene by Secret Service agents. It was possible to see that there was blood on the politician’s ear.

As he was escorted away, Trump asked the agents to wait and raised his right fist, likely in a show of force. The crowd at the rally responded and shouted in support of the former president.

Watch the moment Trump appears to be injured (56s):

Watch the moment Trump raises his right fist (41s):

Shortly after Trump was removed from the rally, the former president’s spokesman Steven Cheung said the Republican was “good” and being treated at a local hospital.

US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the agency is investigating the case and that “more information will be released when available.”