WASHINGTON — Melania Trump has issued a statement condemning political violence after an apparent assassination attempt injured her husband, former President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania Saturday night.
In her statement, the former first lady said she watched the "violent bullet strike my husband" and realized "my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change."
Melania called the gunman a "monster" and blamed the dehumanization of political figures for the violence.
"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration," she wrote. "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."
The statement, released on X, formerly Twitter, is the latest from the Trump family after the shooting. Donald Trump himself has been posting in the shooting's aftermath, calling for nationwide "unity" in response to the attack.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he wrote.
Trump was shot near the beginning of a political rally he was holding in Butler, Pennsylvania in what law enforcement officials say appears to be an attempted assassination. Video from the incident shows the crowd reacting as several gunshots ring out. Donald Trump can be seen clutching at his ear shortly before being tackled by Secret Service agents moving to shield him.
Photos of the aftermath show Trump being whisked away by the Secret Service, but not before pumping his fist in the air to cheers from his supporters, with fresh blood still on his face.
Trump's campaign said the presumptive Republican nominee was in good spirits after the shooting. He posted on his social media platform that he had been shot in the ear, but was recovering.
Melania Trump's statement can be read in full below:
I am thinking of you now, my fellow Americans.
We have always been a unique union. America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, 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. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.
To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.
A monster who recognized 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.
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.
We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another. American politics are only one vehicle that can uplift our communities. Love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities.
And let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthly realm.
Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.
This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realize this world again. Each of us must demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships, again.
I am thinking of you, my fellow Americans.
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.