Former First Lady Melania Trump broke her silence on Sunday, July 14, 2024, following the assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In a heartfelt statement, Melania expressed her gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement while condemning the attacker.
“A monster saw my husband as an inhuman political machine,” Melania stated, reflecting on the attack that left one spectator dead and two others critically injured. “When I saw that violent bullet hit my husband, Donald, I understood that both my life and Barron’s were on the verge of a significant change. I am thankful to the courageous Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers who risked their lives to safeguard my husband.”
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents. According to reports, Crooks opened fire from a rooftop near the rally stage, grazing Donald Trump’s ear. Trump was quickly evacuated and taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment. Despite the injury, Trump made a defiant appearance later, walking down the steps of his plane, “Trump Force One.”
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation and a call for unity. In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden urged Americans to stand together against political violence. He also ordered an independent review of the security measures at the rally, highlighting the need for improved protection for public figures.
Melania Trump expressed her condolences to the shooting victims. “To the families of the innocent people affected by this terrible act, I extend my deepest sympathy. It deeply saddens me that you must find the strength to endure such a painful situation,” she stated.
The former first lady also spoke out against the negative portrayals of her husband that have circulated during his political career. “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,” she said.
The FBI is currently investigating the shooter’s motives. Crooks, a recent high school graduate, had been bullied and ostracized by his peers, according to reports. His background includes a failed attempt to join his school’s rifle team and recent employment as a dietary aide at a nursing home. Investigators found bomb-making materials in his vehicle and home, but no clear ideological motives have been identified.
Following the attack, the Secret Service announced additional security measures for Trump’s detail during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. These measures include the deployment of tactical officers and enhanced security protocols. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stated that the agency is confident in protecting the former president and other attendees at the convention.
Trump campaign officials have set up a GoFundMe page to support the victims of the shooting. The fundraising effort has raised over $4 million for the cause. Donald Trump also expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement on Truth Social, his social media platform. “I appreciate the swift action of the United States Secret Service and all law enforcement regarding the recent shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Above all, I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family of the individual who lost their life at the rally, as well as to the family of the person who was severely injured,” Trump wrote.
As the investigation continues, the nation remains on high alert. The incident has brought back memories of past assassination attempts on U.S. presidents, with this being the closest since the shooting of Ronald Reagan in 1981. The tragic events in Butler serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by public figures and the importance of robust security measures to protect them.