Melania Trump is "so grateful" to the officials who protected her husband Donald Trump amid his shooting on Saturday (13.07.24)
The presidential hopeful was shot in the ear when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and now his former First Lady Melania - who tied the knot with the billionaire businessman in 2005 - has reflected how she suddenly realised how she could have been put through a "devastating change" in life had law enforcement officers not acted when they did.
In a statement, she said: "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."
Authorities investigating the shocking incident have named the person they believed to be responsible - who was killed at the scene by Secret Service agents - as 20-year-old Matthew Crooks and Melania described the perpetrator as a "monster" who tried to "ring out" all of her husband's passions in life by forgetting that there was a human beneath the politics.
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."
"Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love. Our personal, stnictnral, and life commitment — until death — is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings."
CNN had earlier reported the man the authorities believed to be responsible was a registered Republican, who had previously made a small contribution to the Progressive Turnout Project, a Democratic-aligned group.
Meanwhile, the former president's campaign managers have promised the Republican National Convention will continue as planned “where we will nominate our President to be the brave and fearless nominee of our Party.”
However, they will be employing additional security measures for the event in Milwaukee.
Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita told staffers in a memo they "remain horrified" by what happened.
They added: "[We] hope that this horrendous act will bring our team, and indeed the nation, together in unity and we must renew our commitment safety and peace for our country.
“We condemn all forms of violence, and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media.
“In moments of tragedy and horror, we must be resolute in our mission to reelect President Trump."
Trump is now out of hospital and has returned to New Jersey.
He earlier broke his silence on what happened with a post on his Truth Social platform.
He said: "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. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening."
The former 'Apprentice' star confirmed the shooter had been killed and also offered his condolences to the family of a person who lost their life during the shocking incident as he thanked the United States Secret Service, and law enforcement officials.
He wrote: "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.
"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.
"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."
"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 reâ end 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.
