Former first lady Melania Trump offered sympathy Sunday to the victims of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and described the gunman as a “monster” who only saw her husband as an “inhuman political machine.”
“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,” Mrs. Trump posted Sunday in an open letter on X.
Mrs. Trump said political games and differences of opinion are “inferior to love.”
“Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings,” she wrote. “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.”
The FBI said Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire on Mr. Trump from the rooftop of a building less than 150 yards from the event stage while Mr. Trump was speaking at a campaign rally Saturday. The gunman was quickly shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
Mr. Trump’s ear was hit — either by a bullet or broken glass — and one rally attendee was killed and two others were critically injured, the Secret Service said.
“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,” Mrs. Trump said.
Mrs. Trump served as first lady during Mr. Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021 but hasn’t been a visible presence on the campaign trail as Mr. Trump faces a presumptive rematch with President Biden. She is, however, scheduled to appear this week at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
In her letter, Mrs. Trump called for a world where “respect is paramount” and thanked persons of all political backgrounds for their support.
“For those of you who cry in support, I thank you,” she wrote. “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.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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