DUBAI: Saudi Arabia on Sunday expressed its condemnation of the shooting incident that targeted an event at the White House attended by US President Donald Trump.
The Kingdom affirmed its rejection to all forms of violence and expressed its solidarity with the United States, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
#بيان | تعرب المملكة العربية السعودية عن استنكارها لإطلاق النار الذي استهدف حفلاً حضره فخامة رئيس الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية دونالد ترمب، وتعبر المملكة عن تضامنها مع الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، مؤكدةً رفضها لكافة أشكال العنف. pic.twitter.com/HMzplpirCx
— وزارة الخارجية (@KSAMOFA) April 26, 2026
World leaders have condemned the shooting incident at the White House correspondents dinner on Saturday where Donald and Melania Trump were evacuated from the Washington Hilton on Saturday after gunshots were be heard from the hotel lobby.
The UAE, through a foreign ministry statement, has denounced the shooting as ‘deplorable crime’ and expressed its “unwavering rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meanwhile said on a social media post that “No political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information,” relating to the shooting incident involving Trump.
“The defense of the culture of confrontation must remain the insurmountable bulwark against every intolerant drift, to safeguard the values that found our Nations,” she added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock at the attempted assassination of Trump but expressed relief that the “US President and the First Lady are safe and strong.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meanwhile said that “violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world” after the terrifying gunfire during the event where the US President was attending.
Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas said she is relieved that everyone who attended was okay including President Trump.
"Political violence has no place in a democracy. An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. I wish the injured officer a swift recovery," she said.
Relieved that everyone who attended, including President Trump, are safe after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Political violence has no place in a democracy.
An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear. I wish the injured…
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 26, 2026
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, said on X: “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.”
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” he added.
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.
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 26, 2026
“We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” said Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese in a statement.
I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, are safe.
We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 26, 2026
British ambassador to the United States, Christian Turner, who attended the dinner took to X and thanked the secret service for their quick response.
“We are thankful that the president and those in attendance were unharmed & our best wishes are with the injured officer,” Turner said.
The @UKinUSA team attending tonight’s White House Correspondents dinner are grateful for the swift and professional response of the Secret Service. We are thankful that the President and all those in attendance were unharmed & our best wishes are with the injured officer.
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) April 26, 2026
France's Emmanuel Macron said shooter attack at Trump media dinner is unacceptable.
The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 26, 2026
Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, said on X "I am 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."
I am 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.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
King Charles III was "greatly relieved" Trump, his wife Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting at a Washington media gala, Buckingham Palace said.
The British monarch was being "kept fully informed of developments", the palace added.
"A number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with US colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the visit."
