President Biden said he is praying for the health and recovery of British author Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed at an event Friday.
Driving the news: Earlier Saturday, the Biden administration condemned the attack of British author Salman Rushdie, calling it “reprehensible.”
“This act of violence is appalling,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a statement. “All of us in the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy recovery. ”
President Biden said in a statement Saturday afternoon that Rushdie “stands for essential, universal ideals. Truth. Courage. Resilience. The ability to share ideas without fear.”
“These are the building blocks of any free and open society,” Biden said. “And today, we reaffirm our commitment to those deeply American values in solidarity with Rushdie and all those who stand for freedom of expression.”
Catch up quick: Rushdie was stabbed in the neck and abdomen on Friday while he was on stage at an event in New York.
Attendees detained the suspect, 24-year-old Hadi Matar. He was then taken into police custody.
A doctor in the audience treated Rushdie after the attack. The author was then taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery.
Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, told the New York Times that the author is currently on a ventilator and will likely lose an eye. His liver was damaged in the attack as well, Wylie said.
The big picture: Rushdie spent years in hiding after receiving death threats and a bounty for his murder due to the book “The Satanic Verses,” which he wrote based on the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
The book is widely considered to be “blasphemous” among many Muslims. It is banned across many nations.
Culled From Axios