The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner late on Saturday took an unexpected turn when a man opened fire in the hotel hosting the dinner, prompting the Secret Service to rush United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania out of the event.
The man, who was armed with a shotgun, fired at a Secret Service agent, according to officials, bringing an end to the glitzy media gala as guests rushed to take cover.
The suspected shooter has been identified by multiple US news outlets as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who Trump claimed was acting as a “lone wolf” while addressing a press conference after the incident.
Here is how global leaders have reacted to the shooting.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X, condemned the incident, saying that he was “deeply shocked” by it.
“Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, a short while ago,” the premier said.
He expressed relief that the US president, the first lady and other attendees were safe.
“My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” he added.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned the incident as well.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the incident and stressed that “political violence has no place in any democracy”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight,” Carney said.
United Kingdom
Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in a statement on X, 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.
Israel
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning the shooting, said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the attempted assassination” of Trump.
“We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
“We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.”
Mexico
The Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, 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 Pedro Sanchez 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.
European Union
Vice President of the European Commission Kala Kallas also reiterated that “political violence has no place in a democracy”.
She held that “an event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear”.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed relief that attendees remained safe.
In a post on X, Albanese said, “I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, are safe”.
He also lauded the role of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies in taking “swift action”.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed”.
“I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” Modi wrote on X.
Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also took to X to condemn the incident.
“I am relieved to learn that President Trump is safe after the terrifying gunshots,” she wrote. She further maintained that “violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world”.
