Former US first lady Melania Trump recalled learning that her husband was bloodied by a would-be assassin’s bullet, calling her husband’s survival “a miracle” in a rare interview broadcast Thursday.
Former President Donald Trump’s wife told Fox News that she was in New York in July when live images of the attack at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, were played on television.
“I ran to the TV, and I rewinded it. And I saw her. I was only a few minutes behind… but when I saw her… no one really knew until then because when you see her on the floor And you look ‘No idea, you don’t know what really happened,’ she said.
Trump’s bid for a White House comeback failed when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire on him from a nearby rooftop during an event in Pennsylvania, before the would-be assassin was shot dead by a sniper.
Trump’s ear was hit but he did not suffer any serious injuries.
Melania Trump praised her husband’s Secret Service detail – calling the agents “brilliant” despite criticism over a stunning security failure.
He also briefly recalled his reaction to the suspected second attempt on the 78-year-old Republican’s life at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15.
He said, “I think both events were truly miracles. If you really think about it, July 13 was a miracle.”
‘invasion of privacy’
The reclusive, media-shy former first lady was giving her first television interview in two years to promote her memoir on October 8, less than a month before an election that could return her husband to power.
But while spouses of politicians often play an active role in election campaigns, Melania has largely ignored her husband’s rallies.
The Slovenian-born former model, 54, was also absent from her court hearing in New York, where she was convicted of 34 fraud offenses as part of a scandal involving hush money payments to a porn star.
She was asked about her husband’s various criminal cases and criticized the FBI’s search of the couple’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in 2022.
After the Bureau entered the property to retrieve classified documents allegedly stored illegally, she said, “It made me angry, yes. Invasion of privacy. And the way it was done… I Was really surprised.”
She also questioned the earlier assassination attempt against her husband because she felt it was suppressed by the media.
‘sticky’
“I had so many questions. What’s happening? This is not normal. And is it really shocking that all this abusive violence is happening against my husband?” He said.
“Especially (when) we hear opposition party and mainstream media leaders calling him a threat to democracy, calling him nasty names… This needs to stop. The country needs to be united.”
The upcoming 256-page memoir is titled simply “Melania” and a signed edition with photographs sells for $250.
The former first lady and other members of the Trump clan have been criticized for placing huge amounts of expensive merchandise on sale, taking advantage of the tycoon’s political career.
This week the former president added a line of $100,000 watches to the merchandise available for sale, which includes $100 silver coins made from $30 worth of silver, NFT trading cards, a $60 Bible, and $400 sneakers.
Recently Melania was mocked over the $600 gold “Vote Freedom” necklace she was selling, which daytime TV host and political commentator Ana Navarro called “tacky.”
Navarro said, “Basically, Melania shows her face just to extort money from poor people.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
