Trump praises Steve Scalise's spouse's reaction when he was shot, says 'a lot of wives' aren't concerned

Melania laughs as Trump commends Steve Scalise's wife for being distraught when he was shot and says, "I've seen a lot of wives that don't seem so concerned in those situations. That's the kind of wife you don't want." pic.twitter.com/DKSqCniy5y
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 4, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's certain remarks from the White House balcony on Friday, July 4, sparked online debate as he commemorated Independence Day and the passage of his spending bill the day before.
During his speech, Trump gave boilerplate thanks to Republican leaders in Congress for backing the "Big, Beautiful Bill". He soon talked about House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and recounted his shooting in 2017.
Donald Trump praises Steve Scalise’s wife's composure after he was shot in 2017
Donald Trump said during his speech, "House Majority Leader, Steve Scalise. A brave man, Steve. You know, he suffered a tragedy a number of years ago. I was at his hospital bedside that night with Melania, with our first lady. And he had no chance."
"The doctors said he has little chance. And you look better today than you did then. You didn’t look particularly good that night, I will say," the president added.
Scalise was shot in the hip by a left-wing activist in 2017 during a practice of the Republican congressional baseball team.

Remarkably, four people were shot, and all survived. The shooter was shot by Capitol Police at the scene and later died of his injuries.
During the speech, Trump then pivoted to Scalise’s wife, and said she was "a disaster" after the shooting, while adding that other wives in similar situations are "not so concerned."
"But I learned one thing. His beautiful wife loved him. She was a disaster, right? I told him, I said, 'Steve, I can only tell you one thing. I was with your family and I was with your wife and your wife was devastated. She loves you,'" Trump said.

He added, "I’ve seen a lot of wives that uh, you know, they don’t seem to be so concerned in those situations. That’s the kind of wife you don’t want. But you have a great, beautiful wife who was really there. And you really have done– you’re a very brave guy."
Soon after, the president ended his speech and signed the aforementioned bill into law.
Internet divided by Donald Trump's statement
People on the internet stayed divided and shared mixed reactions as Donald Trump praised Steve Scalise's wife's composure, and said "a lot of wives" aren't concerned when husbands are shot.
A user wrote on X, "Yikes - no wonder he’s so insecure," while one added, "Trump is an amazing mix of capable, confident, strong, successful, resilient & funny. No wonder beautiful women love him!"
Trump is an amazing mix of capable, confident, strong, successful, resilient & funny. No wonder beautiful women love him!
— Voice of Sanity (@HouseofElon) July 5, 2025
A person also stated, "Eww. Did donald really take a moment on the 4th of July to talk about the "bad wives" out there? What in the hillbilly hell is this?" whereas one mentioned, "Tbf that was kinda funny lol."
Eww. Did donald really take a moment on the 4th of July to talk about the "bad wives" out there? What in the hillbilly hell is this?
— Bubbe Wokestein 💙🇪🇺 🇨🇦✡️ (@veggieto) July 4, 2025
A user also wrote, "What is he rambling on about now? He is always off topic," while one commented, "From a pure entertainment point of view, how can you not appreciate this?"
What is he rambling on about now? He is always off topic. pic.twitter.com/UHPVNWC9sI
— CEK (@SlaySaguaro) July 5, 2025
From a pure entertainment point of view, how can you not appreciate this?
— Writ Large (@Brett1231) July 4, 2025
A person also added, "President Trump is so funny!" whereas one wrote, "What a loser."
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.