Melania Trump’s Reaction to Assassination Attempt
Former President Donald Trump revealed this week that Melania Trump is deeply affected by the assassination attempt on his life. He shared these details during a Monday interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
Unable to Discuss the Incident
Trump noted that Melania was “watching live” when the incident occurred, and she struggles to talk about it. “She can’t really even talk about it, which is OK. That means she likes me. She loves me,” he explained. He added, “When I went down, she thought the worst had happened,” referring to her reaction when she saw him injured with blood on his ear and hand.
Details of the Shooting
The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot Trump and was quickly engaged and killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper team. The shooting left one rallygoer dead and two others wounded, who have since been released from hospitals. The Secret Service has faced bipartisan criticism for failing to secure the building’s roof, which Crooks managed to scale before opening fire. Additionally, the agency is under scrutiny for losing track of the would-be assassin despite prior warnings.
Criticism of Secret Service Communication
Trump criticized the Secret Service for lacking communication with local police. “There should have been communication with the local police, which there wasn’t,” he stated, emphasizing the agency’s awareness of Crooks as a disturbed individual.
Trump’s Defiance and Future Rallies
Despite the incident, Trump plans to ignore the Secret Service’s advice to avoid outdoor rallies. “Yeah, I’m going to do rallies [outside],” he confirmed, citing their symbolic importance. He is set to hold another outdoor rally in Butler.
Changes in Secret Service Leadership
Ronald Rowe took over as acting Secret Service Director last week, following Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation after a House hearing. Cheatle faced intense questioning and struggled to address communication failures leading up to the shooting.
New FBI Investigation Details
The hearing coincided with new details released by the FBI about Crooks. Reports indicate he had researched mass shootings, power plants, improvised explosive devices, and even an assassination attempt on the Slovakian prime minister before the July 13 incident.
