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

Steve Scalise was shot in the hip by a left-wing activist in 2017 while practicing with the Republican congressional baseball team
UPDATED JUL 5, 2025
Donald Trump said Steve Scalise’s wife was 'a disaster' after the shooting (Screengrab/Fox News, Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Donald Trump said Steve Scalise’s wife was 'a disaster' after the shooting (Screengrab/Fox News, Alex Wong/Getty Images)


 

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.

President Donald Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, delivers remarks during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. At the picnic, President Trump signed the
President Donald Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, delivers remarks during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 04, 2025, in Washington, DC (Eric Lee/Getty Images)

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.

President Donald Trump, right, and first lady Melania Trump observe from the Blue Room balcony of the White House as B-2 Spirit stealth bombers perform a military flyover during a Fourth of July celebration on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Brandon - Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump observe from the Blue Room balcony of the White House as B-2 Spirit stealth bombers perform a military flyover during a Fourth of July celebration on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington, DC (Alex Brandon - Pool/Getty Images)

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!"



 



 

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."



 



 

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?"



 



 

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.

MORE STORIES

Federal workers are finally relieved and national parks can reopen, but the Trump administration went a step further than taking a humble victory lap
8 hours ago
Katherine Clark, in an interview with MSNBC’s Simone Sanders-Townsend, alleged Trump is trying to bury the truth about Epstein’s network
11 hours ago
In a fresh batch of Epstein emails released by House Democrats, the late convicted offender claimed that Trump 'knew about the girls'
12 hours ago
Trump framed the end of the shutdown as a political victory, urging voters not to forget the episode when heading into the 2026 midterm elections
15 hours ago
Appearing on 'Fox & Friends' Tuesday, November 11, the Pennsylvania Democrat said Chuck Schumer 'never' talked to him during the government shutdown
1 day ago
Trump went off on a rant, claiming California’s infamous bullet train is '3,000 percent' over budget
2 days ago
GOP lawmakers are upset that thousands of federal workers and military personnel went weeks without pay, while members of Congress kept their salaries
2 days ago
Democrats blasted Chuck Schumer for weak leadership and failing to unite the party against the shutdown deal and rising health-care costs
2 days ago
Jeanne Shaheen defended breaking with Democrats to support a bipartisan plan she co-brokered with Angus King and Maggie Hassan to end the shutdown
3 days ago
Eight Senate Democratic Caucus members, including John Fetterman and Catherine Cortez Masto, backed a bipartisan deal to reopen the government
3 days ago