Donald Trump shooting: Melania breaks silence with impassioned statement
Melania Trump has released a statement condemning the attempted assassination of her husband Donald Trump as “a heinous act”. See what she had to say.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melania Trump has broken her silence over the assassination attempt on her husband Donald Trump, posting some strong and emotional words to her official Twitter/X account.
“America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered,” wrote the former US First Lady in an extended statement, “but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one.”
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change.”
Melania slammed the would-be assassin: “A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion... The core facets of my husband’s life - his human side - were buried below the political machine.”
While the statement included some baffling language, Melania’s message was clear and asked for unity amid an intensely polarised election campaign.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) July 14, 2024
“Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love.
“We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another.”
“This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence.
“(T)hank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”
Melania, 54, had made no immediate public comment on the day of the shooting, unlike Trump’s children Donald Jr, Eric and Ivanka, who promptly posted messages of support for their dad on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ivanka wrote, “Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence … I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I love you Dad, today and always.”
She also said her mother Ivana was “watching over Dad” on the second anniversary of her mother’s death.
“Two years ago today, my mom passed away. I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on his life,” Ivanka wrote on social media about her mother Ivana Trump, who died at 73 on 14 July 2022.
Donald Trump Jr has tweeted multiple times since the assassination attempt on his father.
His latest tweet accused “leftwing media” and the Democrats of portraying Trump as a “dictator” and as a “threat to Democracy”. He posted a photo of the Washington Post with a headline, “Biden trains fire on Trump.”
“Dems and their friends in the media knew exactly what they were doing with the ‘literally Hitler’ bulls**t!”, he tweeted.
It comes as ‘Where’s Melania?’, had been a regular catch cry during the US election campaign so far.
Much has also been made about Mrs Trump’s absence at campaign rallies in recent months and at the recent presidential debate, as well as during her husband’s court appearances.
In May the former president was convicted of 34 counts of falsification of business records in relation to covering up reimbursements for a “hush money” payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, while running for office in 2016.
Mr Trump denied he had sex with Daniels, with details of the alleged encounter once again making embarrassing headlines for his wife.
He is appealing the convictions.
While Mrs Trump is expected to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, she is not speaking, which has again surprised political watchers.
She spoke at the convention in support of her husband in 2016 and 2020.
Her absence on the list of speakers is a significant break away from tradition, in which the wives of Republican presidential nominees deliver remarks at the convention.
Two of Mr Trump’s sons, Donald Jr and Eric will speak, along with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the fiancee of Donald Jr.
Mr Trump’s youngest son Barron, 18, is also not scheduled to speak, nor are his daughters Ivanka and Tiffany.
More Coverage
Ex-PM says it’s the ‘worst’ time for an Australian Republic
With two wars waging around the world, one former Prime Minister has stressed the importance of Australia remaining in the monarchy.
Thorpe reveals reason for tirade against King
Controversial senator Lidia Thorpe reveals she had planned to hand a “notice of complicity” to King Charles during a shocking tirade at Parliament’s Great Hall.