Following the assassination attempt that almost claimed former President Donald Trump’s life, Democratic leaders are tamping down their harshest criticism against their arch-rival, instead shifting focus to condemning the shocking act of political violence that unfolded at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday.
“The Biden campaign is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down our television ads as quickly as possible,” a White House spokesperson said.
The about-face comes after the Biden campaign compared the former president to Adolf Hitler, and President Biden himself was quoted as saying it was “time to put Trump in a bullseye” with regards to the campaign messaging.
Speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Sunday, President Biden said “there is no place in America for this kind of violence,” saying of the shooting that nearly killed his opponent, “it’s sick. It’s sick.”
Everything we know about Trump assassination attempt
- Former President Donald Trump was targeted by a shooter during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania
- Trump’s face was grazed by a bullet during the shooting
- The gunman and one bystander have been killed
- President Biden addressed the nation and referred to the shooting as sick, saying he “tried to get ahold of Donald”
- Exclusive: First photos of Thomas Matthew Crooks emerge after assassination attempt
- Donald Trump urges the nation to not let ‘evil win’ and ‘fear not’ after shooting
- World leaders condemn ‘political violence’ at Trump rally: ‘Can’t take anything for granted’
Keep up to date on updates with The Post’s live blog on the assassination attempt on Trump
The White House said Biden spoke to Trump Saturday evening, the president living up to his kinder, gentler messaging pledge that same day in a message of well-wishing for his opponent.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden wrote on X.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety,” Biden said reiterating that America has “no place” for the kind of horrendous violence witnessed in Butler, Pa.
“We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he said.
Follow The Post’s latest stories on the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump:
- Trump says he ‘felt the bullet ripping through my skin’ in first statement since assassination attempt
- Donald Trump urges the nation to not let ‘evil win’ and ‘fear not’ after shooting
- Gunman behind attempted assassination on Trump had head blown off by Secret Service, sources say; rally-goer killed
- Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks was loner ‘relentlessly’ bullied in high school: classmate
- How Trump’s split-second head turn may have saved his life from assassin’s bullet
- Ex-volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore ID’d as Trump sniper victim, shielded his daughter from assassin’s bullets
- Search for Trump shooter’s motive delayed by explosives found in home and car: sources
Keep up to date on updates with the Post’s live blog on the assassination attempt on Trump
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “horrified” by what unfolded at the rally, where a bloodied Trump shook off his security detail to defiantly wave his fist at the crowd yelling “fight, fight, fight” before being whisked to safety.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed gratitude for the Secret Service for protecting the 2024 GOP standard bearer, while offering his “thoughts and prayers” for the former president.
“Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” he added.
Soon after the shocking shooting, authorities identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents seconds after he squeezed off 6-7 rounds, winging former President Trump’s ear and fatally striking Corey Comperatore, a local hero volunteer fire chief.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Democrats have faced a surge criticism from Republican lawmakers over the steady ratcheting up their anti-Trump rhetoric.