Melania Trump brands gunman who shot husband a ‘monster’

Donald Trump’s wife Melania has branded the gunman who carried out the assassination attempt on the former US president a “monster”.

The former first lady said her and their son Barron’s lives “were on the brink of devastating change” when she saw “that violent bullet strike my husband”.

Mrs Trump wrote that she was thinking of her “fellow Americans”, saying the fabric of the nation was “tattered”.

In a social media post, she said: “When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change.

“I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.

“To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.

“A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.

“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 added: “This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence.

“We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realise this world again.”

The FBI named 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman.

A motive has not yet been identified, but authorities are treating the shooting as an assassination attempt.