Melania Trump accused of using ChatGPT to craft response to Minnesota shooting

Melania Trump accused of using ChatGPT to craft response to Minnesota shooting
First lady Melania Trump condemned the Minnesota school shooting in a statement (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: First lady Melania Trump’s late-night response to the tragic Annunciation Catholic School shooting has sparked accusations that she relied on ChatGPT to craft her statement.

The attack, which left an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old dead, prompted Melania to call for behavioral threat assessments to stop future massacres, but her polished language quickly drew skepticism online.



 

Melania Trump’s statement draws AI allegations

The first lady wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The tragic mass killing in Minnesota illuminates the need for pre-emptive intervention in identifying potential school shooters. Early warning signs are often evident, with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions.”

First lady Melania Trump looks on during the annual White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
First lady Melania Trump looks on during the annual White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

She added: “To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioral threat assessments across all levels of society – beginning in our homes, extending through school districts, and of course, social media platforms. Being aware of these warning signs and acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer.”

Social media users were quick to accuse Melania of outsourcing her message to artificial intelligence.

One X user wrote: “When using chatgpt remove the (—) from here society—beginning.”



 

Another chimed in: “Obviously the actual Melania didn't write this,” while a third declared: “Not a single word of this post was written by Melania Trump.”



 



 

A fourth asked bluntly: “Please don’t be so obviously ChatGPT, it’s incredibly unbecoming.”



 

"Scripted by ChatGPT," one posted.



 

Another said, "Who wrote this post for you, Ma'am? ChatGPT?"



 

Notably, Melania’s response did not mention gun control, despite the 23-year-old shooter, Robin Westman, using firearms to kill two young students.

President Donald Trump ordered all federal flags lowered to half-staff until August 31 to honor the victims.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 27: The U.S. flag is lowered to half-staff above the White House on August 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump ordered the flags lowered in memorial of the victims of today's mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church and school. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The US flag is lowered to half-staff above the White House on August 27, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Conservatives shift focus away from guns

While the Trumps refrained from commenting on the shooter’s gender identity, other conservatives seized on the fact that Westman, born Robert Westman, was transgender.

White House Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a post declaring, “There is a demonic force moving when a transgender maniac sprays bullets at pews of Catholic school children. Shame on the progressive leaders and lawmakers who make this about the man in the White House, the Second Amendment, or so-called trans bigotry.”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt took questions on the Trump administration's plan to block federal grants and contracts from Harvard University, deportations, a Russia peace deal with Ukraine and other topics. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 15, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Donald Trump Jr echoed Rep Byron Donalds’ claim that the tragedy stemmed from mental health, not firearms. Donalds wrote, “For years, the left has promoted radical gender ideology, ignored glaring mental health issues & spewed hateful rhetoric. This is the insanity that’s come from their movement. They must reexamine everything.”

Donald Trump Jr. takes the stage during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. Trump closed out his weekend of campaigning in New York City with a guest list of speakers that includes his running mate Republican Vice Presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tesla CEO Elon Musk, UFC CEO Dana White, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, among others, nine days before Election Day. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Donald Trump Jr takes the stage during a campaign rally for US President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Mayor Jacob Frey defends trans community

At a Thursday, August 28, press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned attacks on transgender people in the wake of the shooting.

“Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity,” Frey said. “We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone. We should be operating from a place of our love for kids … kids died today.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Minneapolis Police, a gunman fired through the windows of the Annunciation Church at worshippers sitting in pews during a Catholic school Mass, killing two children and injuring at least 17 others. The gunman reportedly died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The 44-year-old mayor revealed students were “literally praying” when the gunman opened fire through a church window at 8:30 am. Rejecting rote condolences, Frey said, “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is embraced after speaking to the media following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Minneapolis Police, a gunman fired through the windows of the Annunciation Church at worshippers sitting in pews during a Catholic school Mass, killing two children and injuring at least 17 others. The gunman reportedly died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is embraced after speaking to the media following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Frey emphasized, “They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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