Joe Biden says he is 'grateful' Donald Trump is safe as he condemns assassination attempt on ex-president

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WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden requested Americans to stand united as a nation and tone down the political rhetoric in a rare Oval Office address on July 14. The incumbent's address comes against the backdrop of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, has been identified as the shooter involved in the incident, which led to two deaths including his own, and two critical injuries.

The bullet grazed Trump's ear but otherwise suffered no major injuries. The shooting has been condemned by leaders across the board in the United States, as well as around the world.

Joe Biden condemns attack on Donald Trump in Oval Office speech

In a live address streamed across multiple networks, President Joe Biden shared his grievances with the political climate of the United States, saying, "My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics. Do remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors, we’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together."

The assassination attempt "calls on all of us to take a step back, take stock of where we are," he shared, stating that he was "grateful" that Trump is "doing well" and that he is keeping "him and his family in our prayers."

Biden expressed his "deepest condolences" to the family of Corey Comperatore, a rally attendee who lost his life in the gunfire. The deceased was a 50-year-old firefighter was a father of two, and reportedly threw himself on top of his family members when the shooting began, according to Variety.

Highlighting several recent incidents of political violence, such as the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, the attack on Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's husband, an attempted plot to kidnap Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, and the "intimidation of election officials," Biden said, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence or for any violence, ever, period. No exceptions."

While "disagreement is inevitable in American democracy" and "part of human nature," Biden mentioned that violent incidents cannot be "normalized."

“Politics must never be a literal battlefield — or god forbid, a killing field."

"Tonight I want to speak to what we do know: A former president was shot. An American citizen killed simply exercising his freedom to support the candidate of his choosing. We cannot, we must not, go down this road in America," continued Biden.

Politics should be an "arena for peaceful debate to pursue justice, to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution," he said. "We stand for an America not of extremism and fury but of decency and grace. All of us now face a time of testing as (the) election approaches. The higher the stakes, the more fervent the passions become," he added. 

"I've no doubt they'll criticize my record and offer their own vision for this country," Biden remarked of the upcoming Republican Convention in Milwaukee. "I'll be traveling this week, making the case for our record and the vision, my vision, for the country, our vision. I'll continue to speak out strongly for our democracy, stand up for our Constitution and the rule of law, to call for action at the ballot box, (not) violence on our streets. That's how democracy should work."

"Let's remember here in America, our unity is the most elusive of all goals right now. Nothing is more important for us now than standing together. We can do this," he added, before urging Americans to "never lose sight of who we are," Biden said. 

Internet unimpressed by Joe Biden's supportive speech for Donald Trump

MAGA supporters used the social media platform X to call out Joe Biden for his speech. They accused him of spreading hate against Donald Trump and then trying to do damage control.

"Joe and his posse have instigated the trouble," wrote a user.

"Takes blatant to a whole new level doesn't it?" inquired another.

"Too little, too late," jibed a third.

"He's the one with all the vitriolic ranting about Trump! He needs to set the example. Let's see if he walks the talk tomorrow," commented a fourth.

"The hypocrisy is strong in this one," quipped a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.