The President of the USA, Joe Biden, condemns the shooting at one of Donald Trump's election meetings.
There is no place in the USA for this type of violence. It's sick. Sick!, he said shortly after the incident.
In a speech to the nation about two hours after the shooting, Joe Biden condemned the act in strong terms and emphasized the importance of unity.
The election meeting should have been able to take place peacefully without any problems. That this type of political violence occurs in the USA is unprecedented, said Biden and added:
We cannot allow something like this to happen. We cannot tolerate something like this.
In the speech, Joe Biden said that he had tried to contact his political opponent – whom he referred to by his first name as "Donald" – but that he was then in hospital.
A little later, the two made contact and Biden was relieved to hear that Trump was doing well, according to the White House.
The President did not want to comment on whether the act should be seen as an assassination attempt on Trump or not.
I have an opinion, but I don't have all the facts yet, said Biden.
Staff members of Biden's election campaign team report that they will stop their campaign communication and TV advertising as soon as possible.
