FEARS FOR FAMILY
Melania Trump breaks silence on attempt on Donald’s life & brands would-be assassin a ‘monster’ in devastating statement
She said she was aware this incident would change her life
MELANIA Trump has broken her silence on the attempted assassination of her husband Donald on Saturday night to brand his would-be killer a "monster."
The former First Lady revealed the horror of watching the bullet graze her husband on stage and said she felt "on the brink of devastating change" in the aftermath of the shooting that killed one supporter.
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She also slammed the shooter, now named as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, for treating her husband as an "inhuman political machine" and begged for unity across political parties.
It's been reported that Crooks was a registered Republican in his state of Pennsylvania and last voted in November 2022.
Melania accused Crooks of trying to "ring out Donald's passion."
"Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times," she in a statement posted to X.
She then delved into how differing opinions and politics are "inferior to love."
"Our personal, structural, and life commitment - until death - is a serious risk," she shared.
"Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings."
She added, "Let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, 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."
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The former First Lady urged people to come together and "realize this world again."
She declared that "the winds of change have arrived" and thanked people from all parties for reaching out.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, named as Trump rally shooter who killed supporter as he tried to assassinate ex-president
"Thank you for remembering that every single position is a man or a woman with a loving family," she concluded.
'POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS NEVER THE ANSWER'
Melania's response to the assassination attempt came after Trump's daughters Tiffany, 30, and Ivanka, 42, spoke out on Sunday morning.
Tiffany thanked people for their support and called Trump a "fighter."
"The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated," she on X in the early hours of Sunday.
Melania Trump's response to shooting
On Sunday morning, Melania broke her silence with a statement about the shooting.
"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 ascent 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.
"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, structural, and life commitment - until death - is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings.
"We are all humans, 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 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."
"Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.
"This morning ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the single-minded ideas that ignite violence. We want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realize this world again. 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. 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."
"Thank you, God, for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer.
"God bless the Secret Service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please include the families of the victims in your prayers.
"As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA."
Ivanka spoke about her mother, Ivana, saying she was watching over Trump.
"Two years ago today, my mom passed away. I believe she was watching over Dad last night during the attempt on his life," she on X, on the anniversary of her mother's death.
"I miss her every day and pray for the safety of the family and friends she left behind."
VICTIM IDENTIFIED
The victim of the shooting during Trump's rally has been identified as Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief for Buffalo Township — about 15 miles southeast of Butler, Pennsylvania.
He died protecting his daughter from bullets at the event.
The victim's brother posted to Facebook on Sunday morning, grieving the loss.
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"The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most," he wrote in the post.
"He was a hero who shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable.
"My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience. Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds.
"Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me, and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality."
His wife has not spoken publically but posted a haunting image of the American flag that hung at the rally on Sunday morning.
HORRIFIC SHOOTING
Chaos ensued on Saturday after 6 pm when Trump took the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
He was on the stage for only a few minutes before the sounds of gunfire went off.
Videos captured the moment the former president felt something hit his ear and he quickly dropped to the ground.
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting - after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed "Get down!"
- The shooter - identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks - was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting "sick," and has suspended campaigning for the next two days
Supporters in the stands also ducked for safety as Trump's Secret Service team dived over him.
People screamed, "Get down!" as bullets continued to ring out.
Moments after Crooks was shot dead by a sniper, Trump emerged from his sea of agents with his fist raised high in the air.
Trump mouthed "Fight, Fight, Fight!," and the remaining supporters in the stands also stood up and started to cheer.
His team then quickly rushed him to his car and raced away.
OVERWHELMING RESPONSES
Following the incident, Trump spoke out on his social media platform Truth Social, recalling the moment he knew he had been shot.
"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," Trump wrote hours after the shooting.
"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.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically 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.
"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 realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
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People from both political parties have condemned the violence.
Joe Biden called the act "sick" and former president Barack Obama said to "use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics."
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Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
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Donald Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump.
"Look, there's no place in America for this kind of violence. It's sick," the president continued. "We cannot condone this."
Vice President Harris said she was "relieved" Trump was not seriously injured.
"Violence such as this has no place in our nation," she continued.
Former President Obama said on X: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
"Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr said: "Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family."
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Britain's new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took to X to say: "I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack."
Reform leader and newly elected MP Nigel Farage said it is a "miracle" that his friend is still alive.
Farage told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "I was very upset when I heard the news late last night, Donald Trump survived by a miracle, frankly.
"But one innocent man is dead, two are fighting for their lives in hospital. It's horrible, and yet somehow not surprising."
Former PM Boris Johnson also gave his condolences to Trump and his family as he said it shows "the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason".
Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been a target for assassins in the past, also said he was "appalled" by the events in the US.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said on X.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this."
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