Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump Spurs Bitcoin Surge
Global Reactions to Trump Attack Highlight Political Tensions
On Saturday, July 13, former U.S. President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which saw Trump being urgently evacuated after sustaining an injury to his right ear, has had significant political and economic repercussions.
The attack occurred in the midst of a highly charged electoral campaign, with Trump making cryptocurrencies a central theme. Following the attack, the price of Bitcoin surged dramatically, exceeding $60,000 per bitcoin, up from a low of $53,000 earlier in the month. This spike is attributed to Trump's strong pro-cryptocurrency stance, including his promise to support the right to self-hosted storage for the nation's 50 million cryptocurrency holders and his acceptance of crypto donations via Coinbase.
The assassination attempt has elicited a wave of international condemnation. Leaders from across Latin America, regardless of their political ideologies, have denounced the violence. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum both condemned the act, calling violence irrational and inhumane. Similarly, Argentine President Javier Milei criticized the 'desperate' left, while Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized that violence threatens democracies.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva and former President Jair Bolsonaro also expressed their disapproval, with Bolsonaro calling Trump 'the greatest world leader of the moment.' Colombia and Peru issued official statements condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with the United States. Bolivian President Luis Arce and Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya echoed these sentiments, condemning violence regardless of its source.
The attack has also sparked reactions within the United States. Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, condemned the violence and emphasized that political violence has no place in the country. The incident has reignited discussions about the role of violence in American politics, particularly in light of Trump's previous rhetoric.
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., shared a photo of his father with a bloodied face, vowing that Trump will never stop fighting to save America. Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, also expressed his support and wished for Trump's quick recovery.
