Arab Americans react with shock to assassination attempt on former President Trump
CHICAGO: Arab-American leaders from the left and right of American politics expressed shock that former President Donald Trump was lightly wounded in an apparent assassination attempt as he spoke at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night.
Initial reports and live television showed Trump speaking at the rally. As he spoke, he turned his head to the right as three loud gunshots were heard. Trump grabbed his right ear, which was bleeding, as he was taken to the ground and completely surrounded by four Secret Service agents.
Trump raised his hand in the air as he was led off the stage, hugged by five Secret Service agents.
Arab Americans reacted with anger and expressed concern over the assassination, which is believed to have killed at least one person and the suspected shooter, according to initial news reports.
Many said it was the result of the hatred directed against Trump, especially on social media such as Facebook, and the ongoing polarization that divides America politically and socially.
“They tried everything, from impeachment to charges, and when everything failed, they tried to actually assassinate him,” Dr. Massad Boulos told Arab News minutes after the Pennsylvania assassination.
“But now he is the 47th President of the United States. He made a phone call from the hospital and is very optimistic.”
Boulos’ son Michael is married to Tiffany Trump, one of the former president’s daughters.
Boulos said the president’s advisers had told him in the past that “former President Trump had been asking for increased security measures for weeks, but the Biden administration had refused.”
A few meters away, a spectator was pronounced dead. The bullet had passed the president. A second spectator was seriously injured when the crowd began to scream.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was grateful that he was “doing well” and stressed that there was “no place for political violence.”
Biden said on national television that he had “contacted Trump in the hospital.” According to sources, the Biden campaign confirmed that it was pulling campaign ads that were highly critical of Trump.
Bishara Bahbah, chairman of Arab Americans for Trump, blamed the “atmosphere of hatred against President Trump,” which has worsened in recent years.
“The Democrats have demonized him and launched all kinds of horrific attacks against him and his family. I am not saying they are behind it, but at the same time, the hatred that comes from the Democratic Party and some of its leaders and congressmen is reaching people like this person who tried to kill him,” Bahbah told Arab News.
“I believe he will come out of this stronger and people will rally around him. We are grateful that he survived. Violence cannot be tolerated. We pray for him to stay safe.”
Arab Americans on both the right and left said they were “shocked by the violence” that was broadcast live on television.
Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute in Washington DC, said: “There is much we don’t know. But what we do know is that violent rhetoric can lead to violent behavior. We must act, knowing that violence is never the way to resolve political disagreements. Our gun-crazy culture is out of control.”
Mohammed Jaber, a trustee of the suburban Orland Park School Board District 230, said: “No person should fear for their life, whether they are a politician or a civilian. We can all agree to disagree, but everyone should be respected regardless of their opinion. What happened to Trump at that campaign rally is completely wrong.”
Samir Khalil, president of the Arab American Democratic Club of Illinois, said: “It is truly sad that so many tragic events around the world and in the leading democracy reach this level of political violence. As a human being, this violent behavior saddens me. We should expect more interventions from the free world to bring about peace and harmony, not wars and no more hatred. May God bless the humanity of the world and the great USA.”
Mary Basta, mayor of the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, said: “I am deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred today. Our prayers are with the victims and their families at this incredibly difficult time. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in our society. They do not reflect the spirit of true democracy.”