Melania Trump calls for unity after attempt on husband’s life

The former first lady, who has been absent from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and trial, broke her silence to pay tribute to his ‘human side’ in an emotional letter

Melania Trump referred to her husband’s would-be assassin as a monster. Picture: Alon Skuy/AFP

Donald Trump’s wife has responded to the attempt on his life by calling for unity and paying tribute to his “human side”.

Melania Trump, 54, has been almost entirely absent from his presidential campaign. She also avoided the six weeks of Trump’s recent criminal trial in New York where he was found guilty on 34 charges linked to paying hush money to a porn star over their sexual relationship.

Saying that “the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered”, the former first lady called on “our courage and common sense” to “ascend and bring us back together as one”.

Donald Trump embraces his son Barron Trump, as his wife Melania Trump. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In a statement released yesterday (Sunday) she said: “When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change.” Barron is their 18-year-old son.

She continued: “A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.

“The core facets of my husband’s life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.

Melania Trump spoke of the “generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times”. Picture: Alex Edelman/AFP

“Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy and political games are inferior to love. Our personal, structural and life commitment, until death, is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings.” The former president’s staff have promised that his wife will play a full role in the campaign but her letter made no reference to this week’s Republican convention in Milwaukee or whether she would attend the event. The party faithful are gathering in Wisconsin to endorse Trump as presidential nominee.

Concluding her letter, Melania Trump wrote: “The winds of change have arrived.

“For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”

The Times