Former first lady Melania Trump issued a powerful statement Sunday following the assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump, calling on Americans to “rise above the simplistic ideas that incite hatred, malice and violence.”
Melania Trump thanked the US Secret Service agents who provided security for the former president and offered her heartfelt condolences to the victims of the shooting at the rally, which left one spectator dead and two seriously injured.
“When I watched those vicious bullets strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life – and Barron’s – was on the brink of devastating change,” she said in a statement.
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The former first lady criticized the attempted assassin as a “monster,” adding that she called Donald Trump an “inhuman political machine.” The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, died.
“The monster that perceived my husband as an inhuman political machine tried to drown out Donald’s passions – his laughter, his ingenuity, his love of music and his inspiration,” Melania wrote. “The core human side of my husband’s life was buried beneath a political machine. Donald is a generous and compassionate man who has been with me through the best and the worst of times.”
Trump called on Americans to rise above politics, stressing that “love, compassion, kindness and empathy are essential,” and added that the world can return to a place free of “the simplistic ideas that breed hatred, malice and violence.”
“The winds of change are blowing,” Trump said. “I thank you for the tears of support. I applaud you for reaching out across political lines. Thank you for remembering that politicians are men and women with families to love.”
