Read the letter from Melania Trump responding to attempted assassination of Donald Trump

CNN —

Former first lady Melania Trump issued her first public response since her husband, former President Donald Trump, was injured in a shooting at one of his rallies on Saturday, reflecting on what the incident means for her and her family while calling for the country to “ascend above the hate.”

In a statement posted Sunday morning on X, Melania Trump thanked Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials for protecting her husband after a man fired shots toward the former president at his Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally, and said she’s thinking of her “fellow Americans” in the wake of the shooting.

Read the full text of the letter below:

Melania Trump
July 14, 2024

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 ascend 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