Melania recalls how 'traumatic' it was for Barron to watch footage of Trump's first assassination attempt

In her memoir, Melania Trump writes about the deep sense of distress she and Barron Trump felt following the first assassination bid on Donald Trump
PUBLISHED OCT 6, 2024
Melania Trump wrote in her memoir about watching footage of Donald Trump's Butler rally shooting with their son, Barron Trump (Getty Images)
Melania Trump wrote in her memoir about watching footage of Donald Trump's Butler rally shooting with their son, Barron Trump (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Melania Trump revealed in her upcoming memoir 'Melania' what a "traumatic" experience it was for her son, Barron Trump, to watch his father Donald Trump's first assassination attempt, per an excerpt obtained by the New York Post

The former first lady also mentioned that before the GOP nominee arrived at the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July, she told him "Good luck, be safe" and that she would be watching.

Melania Trump found it difficult to break the news to Barron Trump

The former first lady penned in her memoir that breaking the news to their 18-year-old son about the assassination attempt on his father was really difficult.

She added that Barron had to relive the nightmare over and over again as the assassination attempt footage was repeatedly shown on the news and across social media, per the outlet. 

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 16: Barron Trump, US President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump wal
Donald Trump and Melania Trump with their teenage son, Barron Trump (Getty Images)

Melania wrote, "We replayed the footage and watched it together. We were both in shock. As we tuned into the news coverage, I felt a deep sense of distress."

"Can I explain how traumatic it is for a child to witness the attempted murder of his father? The relentless replay of the rally footage on the news only intensified our anxiety. Each time we sat Donald’s bloodied face, I had to remind myself that I had actually just spoken to him, heard his voice, and knew that he was safe," expressed the 54-year-old. 

During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at Trump from a nearby rooftop while he was on stage. A bullet grazed the former president's ear. Within seconds, Crooks was taken down by a Secret Service sniper. 

Melania Trump and Barron Trump were relieved when Donald Trump returned home

Melania Trump wrote in her memoir about the immense relief she and her son felt when Donald Trump returned to their Bedminster, New Jersey home around 2 am the next morning.

She also mentioned that the next few days were "harrowing and surreal" for the family, knowing just how close the GOP nominee had come to being killed.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Donald Trump was rushed offstage during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13 after a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The memoir also contains a letter she wrote to the American people calling for a return to humanity in politics. She penned, "A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to wring out Donald’s passion — his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration."

"The core factors of my husband’s life — his human side — were buried below the political machine. Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy and political games are inferior to love … Political concepts are simple when compared to us, human beings," added Melania. 

Melania Trump blames Democrats for 'fueling toxic atmosphere'

During a 'Fox & Friends' interview in September, Melania Trump blamed Democrats and the mainstream media for "fueling a toxic atmosphere" that led to two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, as per Independent.



 

She said, "It is really shocking that all this outrageous violence goes against my husband. Especially that we hear the leaders from the opposition party and mainstream media branding him as a threat to democracy, calling him vile names."

The former first lady further noted, "They’re only fueling a toxic atmosphere and giving power to all of these people that want to do harm to him. This needs to stop. The country needs to unite."

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