Barack Obama has led tributes to Donald Trump after the presidential candidate was shot at a campaign rally with political figures across the world joining in wishing him a ‘rapid recovery’.
The former president was seen bleeding from his ear after being injured in a shooting at a re-election rally where a bystander was killed by the shooter’s bullets.
At least eight bullets were fired moments after Trump got up to speak at 5pm ET (10pm UK time) on Saturday, at Butler Farm Grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The former president quickly pumped a fist at the crowd to show he was not severely injured in the shocking bloodbath which also saw the shooter killed, as Secret Service agents raced to the stage to hurry him away.
And well-wishers have already rushed in to support the 78-year-old with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, former PM Liz Truss and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage among those reacting to the assassination attempt.
The Prime Minister posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
‘Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.’
Mr Farage said: ‘Mainstream media have spread a narrative of hatred against my friend Donald Trump.
‘I hope they are proud of themselves. Disgusting people.’
Mr Musk, who is the chairman of X, said: ‘I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.’
He then added: ‘Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.’
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss struck a similar tone, saying: ‘Pray for President Trump. Pray for America.’
The president’s predecessor Barack Obama posted: ‘There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
‘Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.
‘Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.’
A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘We are shocked by the scenes at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
‘We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.’
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy added: ‘The UK government condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest terms.
‘As we monitor the shocking developments in Pennsylvania, our thoughts and best wishes are with President Trump – along with every victim and their families.’
Trump’s fierce political rival Bernie Sanders breached the party divide and offered kind words to the former president.
‘Political violence is absolutely unacceptable,’ he said. ‘I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.’
Meanwhile the Republican presidential candidate’s son Donald Trump Jr posted on X: ‘He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.’
International leaders have also responded to the shooting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying: ‘Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.
‘We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.’
The president was seen ducking, with blood pouring from his ear as screams from terrified onlookers rang out. His team says that he is ‘fine.’
It has since been reported that Trump was struck by a piece of flying glass from a teleprompter shattered during the shooting.
Secret Service agents could be heard shouting ‘the shooter is down’ in the ensuing chaos. The agency confirmed the incident is being investigated as an attempted assassination.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told reporters the shooter is dead and that a bystander had also been killed in the bloodbath.
The identities of the shooter and the dead bystander have not yet been confirmed. It is also unclear where the shooter opened fire from and what kind of weapon was used.
Moments after pumping his fist in an image that has already gone around the world, the former president was rushed away to safety. Trump’s team said further updates on the former president’s condition will follow soon.
The gunman was shot dead at the rally, the Butler County district attorney confirmed to the Associated Press. A witness told the BBC agents ‘blew the guy’s head off.’
The DA added that am attendee was also killed at the rally, which was being held in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday afternoon.
Frantic scenes took hold as shots rang out, sending Trump supporters streaming out from the stands and away from the event.
Within seconds, Trump was put to the floor by several Secret Service agents as they protected him from the shooter.
Early reports indicate that around eight to 10 shots were fired, and the press pool said ‘residual bangs’ were heard after Trump hit the floor.
Trump stood up shortly after and pumped his fist at the crowd, leading to chants of ‘USA’ and ‘Make America Great Again.’
He appeared to mouth the word ‘fight’ to supporters at the same moment.
Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential candidate and is set to take on Joe Biden in November’s election but figures from across the political spectrum flooded in to send messages of support after the dramatic incident.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who was comfortably seen off by Trump in the fight to become the Republican presidential nominee, said: ‘@CaseyDeSantis and I are praying for Donald Trump and his family.’
Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom, who was been touted to take over from Joe Biden as the party’s nominee should the president stand down, posted: ‘Violence has NO place in our democracy.
‘My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.’
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the independent presidential candidate, said: ‘Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.’
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, posted: ‘God protected President Trump.’
And rival in this year’s contest Vivek Ramaswamy said: ‘Pray for Trump.’