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‘Evil losers’: Trump joins world leaders in condemning Manchester terrorist attack

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May 23, 2017 at 8:19 a.m. EDT
Leaders from Britain, Germany, Israel, Turkey and the U.S. react to an apparent suicide blast in Manchester, England, that killed at least 22 people. (Video: Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)
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Following what British Prime Minister Theresa May called a “callous terrorist attack” in Manchester, leaders from around the world expressed condolences, solidarity, resolve — and anger.

“I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack, and to the many killed, and to the families — so many families — of the victims,” President Trump said, hours after the Monday night attack that left 22 people dead, including children, and about five dozen others injured. “We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.

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“So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives, murdered by evil losers in life. I won’t call them ‘monsters,’ because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them, from now on, losers, because that's what they are. They’re losers. And we’ll have more of them. But they’re losers; just remember that.”

Police in the British city of Manchester said a lone attacker detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert Monday night, killing himself and more than 20 others. May, the prime minister, said the attack “stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice deliberately targeting innocent defenseless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.”

She called it among the worst terrorist incidents in Britain and “the worst ever to hit the north of England.”

Italy's ANSA news agency reported that Italian President Sergio Mattarella sent Queen Elizabeth II a message, saying: “All of Italy is dismayed by the images that came from Manchester during the night. The news of the involvement of very young boys and girls, victims of this senseless criminal violence while they were at the serene occasion of a concert, causes particular pain.”

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called Monday's bombing an “attack on innocence,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Surely there is no crime more reprehensible than the murder of children,” he said, adding: “This is a direct attack on young people everywhere, on freedom everywhere.”

Pope Francis offered prayers in a telegram, according to Vatican Radio:

His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. He commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel, and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died. Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation

In expressing his country's condolences, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry likened the attack in Manchester to incidents in Iran, according to the Fars News Agency.

“All countries which are victims of extremist, terrorist and Takfiri thoughts of these groups should stand united and show resolve to confront them seriously, purposefully and sincerely,” spokesman Bahram Qassemi said. The Arabic word takfiri is used to describe a Muslim who accuses another Muslim or Islamic sect of apostasy.

President Trump extended his condolences to the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack while speaking in Israel on May 23. (Video: The Washington Post)

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called Monday's bombing “a brutal and senseless attack which wounds every decent person in their heart.”

“We mourn the dead, and we think of the families whose loved ones will never come home,” Löfven said, according to Sveriges Radio. “Sweden shares the British people's shock and anger.”

In a tweet, former U.S. President Barack Obama said: "Our hearts go out to those killed and wounded in Manchester. Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK."

Hillary Clinton also took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon, offering "sympathy and strength" to those affected.

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