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Melania Trump Slams 'Monster' Who Shot At Husband Donald Trump In Rare Statement
By Favour Adegoke on July 14, 2024 at 11:10 AM EDT
Updated on July 14, 2024 at 11:41 AM EDT
Former First Lady Melania Trump has broken her silence after the shocking shooting incident that almost took the life of her husband, Donald Trump.
Taking to social media on Sunday, Melania shared a lengthy statement condemning the violent act while stressing that behind every politician is a "human being" with a "loving family."
On Saturday, an alleged shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots in the direction of Donald Trump during his rally in Pennsylvania, with one bullet grazing the ex-president's right ear.
Melania Trump Makes Rare Statement To Condemn Shooting Incident At Her Husband's Rally
![Melania Trump speaks to Donald Trump's supporters at a "Make America Great Again" campaign rally event on October 31, 2020 in Wapwallopen, PA.](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2024/05/25034548/MEGA711837_008-3-scaled.jpg?)
The Slovenian-born former model shared a statement in which she detailed how hard it was to see her husband almost get killed after a shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania.
"I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans. We have always been a unique union," Melania began. "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."
She then expressed gratitude to the "brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband."
Melania also sent her condolences to the "families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act" in her lengthy statement, adding, "Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me."
Melania Trump Says A 'Monster' Attempted To 'Ring Out' Her Husband's Passion
![Donald Trump and Melania Trump hold hands as they depart Amalija Knavs' funeral at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, FL.](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2024/03/21084532/MEGA1084702_046-scaled.jpg?)
In Melania's statement, she branded the alleged shooter a "monster" who tried to take her husband's life.
She said, "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."
Melania continued, "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."
The former first lady stressed that Americans need to see past the politics, noting that "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."
Melania Trump Calls For Americans To 'Reunite' And Ascend Above The 'Vitriol'
![Donald Trump, Barron Trump, Melania Trump](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2024/05/11141556/MEGA600607_002-scaled.jpg?)
The former first lady got very patriotic in her statement as she charged Americans to do away with "hate" and "reunite."
"Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now. This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence," Melania stated. "We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realize this world again."
She continued, "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."
Concluding her lengthy statement, Melania said, "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."
Donald Trump Speaks About The Rally Shooting
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On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump addressed the shocking shooting incident that almost claimed his life.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," the ex-president said. "Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured."
The billionaire politician continued, "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin."
Concluding his post, Trump said, "Much bleeding took place. So I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
The Alleged Shooter Has Been Identified
![Donald Trump waves as he leaves Trump Tower](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2024/06/01142553/donald-trump-waves-to-fans.jpg?)
The FBI has reportedly identified the alleged shooter at Trump's rally as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old White man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Crooks was shot and killed at the scene seconds after firing some rounds in the direction of the former president. He was allegedly equipped with an assault rifle.
The alleged shooter was a registered Republican, according to state voter records, per Reuters, and he would have been eligible to vote in a presidential election for the first time in the next election on November 5, 2024.
According to the news outlet, Crooks, who lived one hour away from where the shooting happened, donated $15 to ActBlue when he was 17 years old. The political action organization supports Democratic and left-leaning politicians.
Matthew Crooks, the alleged shooter's 53-year-old father, reportedly told CNN that he was trying to understand what had happened and would not discuss his son with anyone until he had spoken with law enforcement.