OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former first lady Melania Trump made a decision that stunned Republicans at the party’s national convention this week.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins reported that she appeared on Thursday night to support her husband, former President Donald Trump, but chose not to speak after being asked by many Republicans.
“Well, it’s all by design, Erin. And really,y as we know and witnessed Melania Trump – when she was the first lady of the United States and Donald Trump was in office – she does things on her own accord and often cannot be pressured or convinced into doing something if she does not want to do it,” the anchor said.
“I’m told by two sources that multiple people appealed personally to the former first lady to speak at this convention as we’ve seen, happened in the modern political era. But she declined to do so. She did not want to have a speaking role at this convention. Now that’s notable because, typically, we’ve seen, as we did last night with Senator Vance’s wife, political spouses come out we tried to reveal a softer side of their spouse. They’re not often talking about policy, but we will not be seeing Melania Trump in a speaking capacity tonight, even though she was asked multiple times to do so,” she said.
But the former first lady had a ton on her mind after the assassination attempt against her husband.
“America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered,” she said in comments posted to X, formerly Twitter. “But our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one.
“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 former first lady said.
“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 worst of times,” she said.
She was joined by others in the former president’s family who spoke after the attack.
After an attempt on her dad’s life, former first daughter Ivanka Trump issued a statement that tugged at hearts.
“Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always,” she said on X, formerly Twitter.
And she was not the only one of the former president’s kids to post on the platform after the attempt on his life.
“The outpouring of love and support for my dad is deeply appreciated. Thank you God for keeping my father alive. Political violence is never the answer. God bless the secret service and law enforcement who fearlessly intervened. Please include the families of the victims in your prayers. As you saw today, my father is a fighter and he will continue to fight for you and the USA,” former first daughter Tiffany Trump said.
His sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, also made various posts on the network, and the former president himself issued his own statement after the shooting on his TruthSocial account.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin,” he said.
