Former First Lady Melania Trump spoke out on Sunday following the failed assassination attempt of her husband, calling for Americans to set aside their political differences.
“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,” the former first lady said in a statement posted to social media. “I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.
Melania Trump went on to say that the world needs to recognize political leaders are humans with families.
“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 continued. “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.”
Since her husband left office in 2021, Melania Trump has largely remained out of the public eye, though following the attack on former President Trump’s life, she is calling for change in the world of politics.
In her statement, she said that Americans have to “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,” she said. “Each of us demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships, again.”
She went on to thank those who have reached out to her “for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”
The former president has said that a bullet pierced his ear, and photos taken of the event reportedly showed the bullet in the split second after it made contact, according to the New York Times.
Since the attack, President Joe Biden, former presidents, politicians, world leaders, and more have all spoken out against politically motivated violence, saying that it has no place in our world.
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” former President Barack Obama said in a post to social media.
Former President Trump issued a similar sentiment this morning, writing on Truth Social that now was a time for unity.
“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,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”