Asian American, Asian leaders react to Trump assassination attempt

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Politics

Asian American, Asian leaders react to Trump assassination attempt

Asian American and Asian leaders around the world condemned the attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The incident, which resulted in the death of an attendee and injuries to Trump and others, remains under investigation. The alleged shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by the Secret Service.

Asian American officials: Vice President Kamala Harris, the country’s highest-ranking Asian American leader, urged the public to “condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Rep. Judy Chu (D-California-28), Rep. Young Kim (R-California-40) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-New Jersey-3) also denounced the incident.

Asian governments: Among other countries, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand all condemned the incident and/or expressed sympathies to Trump in various statements. North Korea, which Trump visited in 2019, has not responded as of Sunday.

China

Chinese social media erupts over Trump assassination attempt

The failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday ignited various reactions on Chinese social media, with comments reflecting both fascination with and condemnation of American politics. Chinese e-commerce platforms also immediately began selling merchandise, mostly T-shirts, featuring Trump’s image in the aftermath.

Speculations and comparisons: Some netizens and commentators reportedly suggested that the shooting might be staged, citing Trump’s quick reflexes. However, others, including experts, dismissed such conspiracy theories, pointing out the injury’s seriousness. Meanwhile, comparisons were drawn between the incident and the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Some also linked the incident to the broader issue of gun violence in the U.S., which is often highlighted by Chinese state media.

Official and media responses: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a response on Sunday, saying President Xi Jinping has “expressed sympathies” to Trump. Meanwhile, Chinese state media framed the violence as a symptom of American democracy's failings, with op-eds emphasizing political polarization and systemic issues in the U.S. Still, Trump’s swift reaction to the gunfire drew comments praising his agility and pondering about his possible re-election. A second Trump victory is being watched closely in Beijing due to his previous threats to raise tariffs.

Olympics

Filipino American track star qualifies for 2024 Olympics

Lauren Hoffman, a 25-year-old former track and field star at Duke University, has qualified to compete in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, with the first round set for Aug. 5. The Filipino-born American athlete finished 39th in the top 40 world rankings needed to qualify for the Olympics, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association announced on July 2.

Making the cut: Hoffman celebrated her Olympic qualification in a Facebook post on July 6, where she thanked her family and expressed how it was an “honor to join my kababayan and represent the Philippines at the upcoming Olympic Games.” in an interview with ABS-CBN, Hoffman said, “There’s not a lot of people that look like me competing at such a high level. I hope more Philippines athletes can qualify for high-level events."

Looking back: A five-year track and field star at Duke, Hoffman, who specializes in 400-meter events, won her first two All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team nominations in 2019, earning recognition in the outdoor 400-meter event and the 4x400-meter relay during the indoor season. Hoffman's 2021 season was reportedly the most decorated in Duke's recent track and field history, including winning the ACC silver medal and making the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-American First and Second Teams.

Crime

South Korean Marine Corps veteran paralyzed in carjacking crash

Junoh Kim, a 23-year-old undergraduate student at New York University’s Stern School of Business, was left paralyzed from the waist down after armed carjackers crashed into his Uber in South Philadelphia on June 23. As his road to recovery remains uncertain, Kim is currently on indefinite leave from school and work.

What happened: Kim was working as a summer analyst at Klema Capital when the crash occurred near the University of Pennsylvania. At around 3 a.m., four masked individuals in a dark SUV carjacked a 2022 BMW X7 at gunpoint on Baltimore Street. The carjackers then refueled, crossed a median and sped onto I-76, eventually losing control and crashing into Kim's Uber near Spruce Street. Two 15-year-olds, a 16-year-old and 30-year-old Antoinne Patton were arrested. The teens face aggravated assault, carjacking and related charges, while Patton is charged with criminal conspiracy and related counts.

GoFundMe: Despite the uncertainty of his recovery, Kim remains determined to impact the financial services industry and hopes to walk again. A GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills and rehab costs has raised over $100,000. “I see this as both my way of repaying those who have prayed for and supported me, and as my life’s purpose moving forward. I’d like to share what my father has instilled in me since I was a young boy: if I don’t give up, it’s not over,” Kim told the New York Post.

Crime

Uber driver shot while helping robbery victim in Chicago’s Chinatown

Paul Bessette, 38, was shot in the chest while trying to stop a violent robbery targeting an older man in Chicago’s Chinatown at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10. “The guy was bleeding out of his head, and they were still hitting him. And I was just thinking, man someone needs to do something,” he told ABC7 Chicago.

What happened: The Uber driver was waiting for a passenger in the 2200 block of South Wentworth Avenue when he saw the victim being brutally beaten by a group of three men. He then honked his horn in an attempt to stop the attack, prompting one of the attackers to pursue and shoot him.

The aftermath: Bessette, who credits his reclined seat and closed windows for slowing the bullet, managed to drive away and call 911. He received treatment at a hospital and was discharged four hours later. Meanwhile, the robbery victim, 58, who has not been identified, received stitches on his head and was expected to recover. Chicago police are investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.

News

Japan's apology for WWII Filipino “comfort women” criticized by victims

Japan has reiterated its apologies for the suffering inflicted on Filipino "comfort women" during World War II. More than 1,000 women were abducted and coerced into sexual slavery by military personnel during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942 to 1945. Today, only 18 survivors remain alive. Kaneko Mariko, deputy press secretary of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Japan has long apologized and considers reparations settled through the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. 

Lila Pilipina “deplores” apology: However, Lila Pilipina, an organization founded in 1994 by surviving comfort women and their supporters, denounced the recent statement, arguing that Japan's claim distorts historical facts to gain Filipino support and justify the recent signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement military pact between Japan and the Philippines. Lila Pilipina highlights that post-war reparations primarily favored Japan, leaving individual victims largely uncompensated. They are urging the Philippine Senate to reject the agreement.

The statement: “The Japanese government has never genuinely apologized to Filipino ‘Comfort Women’ and other wartime rape victims. Private letters of apology sent by Japanese state leaders in the 1990s did not carry the weight of a full and official apology. The establishment of an Asian Women’s Fund following these letters likewise do not indicate genuine remorse as the funds were actually donations by private citizens, and were not in any way, reparations for the harm done by the Japanese Imperial government which should carry the full responsibility for these crimes.”

More Asian News

“Japanese Steph Curry” signs with Indiana Pacers: Keisei Tominaga, a 6-foot-2, 23-year-old former Nebraska Cornhuskers guard dubbed online as the “Japanese Steph Curry,” has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers. This contract serves as a team tryout, providing the player with a non-guaranteed one-year NBA contract with a minimum salary. If an Exhibit 10-signed player gets waived by the NBA team and moves to the team’s G League affiliate for over 60 days, they can receive a bonus of up to $77,518 in the current season and potentially turn the deal into a two-way contract. In Tominaga’s case, he could likely play for the team’s G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, or with the Indiana Pacers if it works out.

Michelin Guide to feature selections in provincial China: For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide will feature restaurant selections at a provincial level in China, starting with Fujian and Jiangsu. The Michelin-owned guidebooks will begin with three cities in Fujian – Xiamen, Fuzhou and Quanzhou – in late 2024, followed by three cities in Jiangsu – Nanjing, Suzhou and Yangzhou – in early 2025, before exploring other locations in these two provinces. “The decision to start with Fujian and Jiangsu provinces was not left to chance, seeing as both territories are indeed home to outstanding, Chinese culinary traditions that are unique and deeply-rooted,” Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guides’ international director, said at a press conference in Shanghai.

P-pop pride at KCON LA: Filipino girl group Bini is set to showcase P-pop at the K-pop music festival KCON LA 2024. The eight-member group will perform at the “M Countdown” concert pre-show on July 27 at Crypto.com Arena. Organized by Mnet, the event features top K-pop acts like Nct 127, Enhypen and Stayc. Bini's upcoming North American tour includes Canadian shows, with plans for U.S. performances. Their latest single “Cherry On Top” has set new records in OPM, surpassing 1 million streams in less than 24 hours and garnering 5 million YouTube views within two days of release.

Thailand waives visa requirements to 93 countries: Thailand has expanded its list of visa-free entry countries from 57 to 93 in order to boost tourism. People traveling from the 93 eligible countries can stay in Thailand as tourists or for short-term business purposes for up to 60 days, ministry spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said. Signed on Friday, the changes in Thailand’s visa-free country list reportedly took effect on Monday, prior to the announcement in the Royal Gazette.