TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, world leaders have taken to social media to condemn political violence and express relief that President Trump was not injured.
The leaders of neighboring Canada and Mexico, with whom Trump has had a tense relationship, were quick to chime in.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a message on X that it was good that Trump and his wife are safe, adding that "Violence must never be the way."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared similar sentiments, adding that his "thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his "best wishes for their continued safety and well-being," while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: "My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also took to X, saying: "I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots. Violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world."
What do we know about the suspected shooter in custody?
Police arrested a 31-year-old male from California who had been a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel.
The Associated Press reported that he was a master's graduate, tutor and amateur video game developer, based on the LinkedIn profile that appeared to match his name and photo.
He acquired a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering before completing a master's degree in computer science.
He had reportedly been working for the past six years as a tutor helping aspiring college students and had developed a video game about molecular chemistry available on the Steam platform.
According to federal campaign finance records, he had donated $25 (€21) to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.
When else have people tried to shoot Trump?
The motive behind the gunshots at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening is still not fully clear, however, it is not the first time that the Secret Service has had to deal with gunmen who appear to be targeting the president.
The most prominent incident took place in July 2024, during the campaign for the presidential election. Trump was at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when several shots were fired, with one hitting his right ear.
The shooter was killed by security.
Several months later, another armed man was spotted at Trump's Mar-a-lago Golf Club where the president was golfing at the time.
That man was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison in February.
Sentencing came just days before another man entered Mar-a-lago with a gas can and a shotgun. However, Trump was not at the club at the time and the man was shot dead by security.
Political violence is not uncommon in the United States and several political figures have been assassinated, including former presidents. A failed attempt on former President Ronald Reagan's life, in fact, took place at the same Washington Hilton where Saturday's Correspondence Dinner was being held.
Read: Trump Escorted Out After Shots at White House Correspondents' Dinner
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
