Ex-First Lady Melania Trump has publicly expressed her concerns and called for clarity following an attempted assassination on her husband, former President Donald Trump.
The attack occurred on July 13, 2024 at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which resulted in the death of a spectator and injuries to Trump and two others, has sparked criticism over the security at the event.
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Melania shared a video on her social media platforms where she described the incident as “horrible” and expressed her dissatisfaction with the scant information available about the attack. “The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” she said. “Now, the silence around it feels heavy.”
The 34-second video featured Melania questioning why law enforcement failed to avert the attack and apprehend the gunman prior to the rally. She stated, “Why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech? There is definitely more to this story, and we need to uncover the truth.”
Her comments have sparked conspiracy theories in certain sectors, although there is no evidence of any wider conspiracy beyond the lone shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, 20, was able to fire several shots from a rooftop 130 yards away before being shot and killed by Secret Service agents. His motivations are still uncertain, though authorities have confirmed that Crooks had looked up Trump’s rally schedule in Pennsylvania, and his online history included searches on explosives and assassination techniques.
The attempted assassination resulted in the death of rally attendee Corey Comperatore, while Trump suffered a minor ear injury. Two other spectators were critically wounded. The incident and its aftermath have led to intense scrutiny of the U.S. Secret Service’s security measures at the event.
Although she had previously thanked law enforcement for their bravery during the attack, Melania Trump appears to have changed her stance. In July, she said, “I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.”
Following the incident, investigations revealed significant security lapses. Rather than Secret Service agents, Homeland Security agents were largely in charge of security at the Butler rally. According to Senator Josh Hawley, these agents had only completed an online training course, which was marred by technical issues. “Most of those Homeland Security agents, the only training that they received was an online webinar, a two-hour online webinar, and I’m told half the time the sound to the webinar didn’t even work,” Hawley noted.
In reaction to the public uproar and pressure from lawmakers, the director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, stepped down on July 23, 2024. Several other agents were reassigned to administrative duties as the investigation into the shooting continued. The investigations have underscored systemic failures in the agency’s coordination with local law enforcement, especially a breakdown in communication that allowed Crooks to position himself undetected.
Despite the criticism surrounding the event, Donald Trump has continued his campaign, now holding rallies indoors as recommended by the Secret Service. Bulletproof glass has been installed at his speech venues, although local officials in Butler are still concerned about security risks should Trump hold another rally there.
As the investigations proceed, Melania Trump’s comments have garnered widespread attention, coinciding with her memoir, “Melania,” due for release on October 8. The memoir is expected to cover her experience during the assassination attempt and her life in the public sphere. Her video ended with a message urging her followers to pre-order the book, which is being promoted as the story of a woman who has “overcome adversity and carved her own path.”
The consequences of the assassination attempt continue to grip the nation, as both political parties navigate the heightened tensions ahead of the 2024 presidential election. With investigations still underway, the focus on security at political events has intensified, prompting calls for reforms to prevent future attacks.