Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has joined a lengthy roster of world leaders to condemn an attack on former United States president Donald Trump that left the Republican presidential candidate with an injured ear.

During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Trump, 78, was shot in his ear, just minutes into his speech. The incident left the crowd at the rally in a panic, as Secret Service agents whisked Trump away.

Following the incident, Jokowi took to social media platform X to condemn the violence and wish Trump a speedy recovery.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened with the shooting against former President Donald Trump today. All forms of violence have no place in democracy around the world," he said on Sunday afternoon.

"My thoughts and prayers for his speedy and full recovery and for all those affected by the attack," he added.

Jokowi joins a long list of world leaders who have also condemned the attack.

A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the incident was an "act of political violence", while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy", AFP reported.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled by the shocking scenes" at the rally and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was "no justification" for such violence, Reuters reported.

Similar comments were also made by the leaders of Canada, Brazil, the European Union, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Trump's campaign team has since said that Trump managed to escape the incident without any major injuries, Reuters reported.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), meanwhile, identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a Pennsylvania native, as the "subject involved" in what it termed an attempted assassination. Crooks was shot and killed by the Secret Service seconds after he allegedly fired the shots.

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/07/14/jokowi-condemns-shooting-at-trump-rally.htm