A family's worst nightmare unfolded as Secret Service agents informed Barron Trump of an attempted assassination on his father.
According to Daily Mail Online, former First Lady Melania Trump's new memoir, "Melania," provides an intimate account of the harrowing moments following the shooting of Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
The book, released today, offers a rare glimpse into the private life of the Trump family and their experience with the dangers of political life. Melania Trump recounts the events of July 13, when her husband was shot while speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which occurred around 6:00 PM, sent shockwaves through the Trump family and their inner circle.
Melania was at their family home in Bedminster, New Jersey when she received the alarming news. Her chief of staff called to inform her of the shooting, assuring her that Donald was "okay." Despite these assurances, Melania couldn't shake her fears until she heard her husband's voice on the phone.
The former First Lady describes the agonizing wait to confirm her husband's safety. She immediately tried to contact Donald and his Secret Service detail, desperate for information about his condition.
When Trump finally spoke to his wife, his first words were simply, "I'm okay." It was only then that Melania could truly believe he had survived the assassination attempt.
As Melania grappled with the news, their son Barron rushed into the room, having been informed by his own Secret Service detail about an "incident" at the rally. The teenager's urgent question, "What happened? Is Dad okay?" underscores the fear and uncertainty that gripped the family. Melania writes about the difficulty of explaining the situation to her son:
I felt a deep sense of distress. Can I explain how traumatic it is for a child to witness the attempted murder of his father?
The mother and son watched and rewatched the footage of the shooting, trying to process the shocking events unfolding before them on national television.
Donald Trump finally returned home at 2:00 AM the following morning. Melania describes an emotional reunion, with her and Barron hugging Trump, relieved to see him largely unharmed. She refers to his survival as "nothing short of a miracle," noting that a slight movement to his right had likely saved his life.
The memoir provides insight into the lasting impact of the incident on the Trump family. Melania expresses her ongoing concerns about security and the risks associated with high-profile political positions.
In the aftermath of the Butler shooting and an alleged second assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach golf course, Melania has become more vocal about security concerns. She criticizes the Secret Service, claiming that requests for additional support have been denied.
Despite the trauma, Melania's memoir concludes with a call for national unity and peace. She writes:
Life is precious and can be lost in an instant. We have a choice: to be torn apart by violence, hatred and division, or to unite in a spirit of love, kindness and shared humanity. It is critical we choose the latter before it is too late.
The former First Lady's memoir sheds light on the personal toll of political violence. It recounts the terrifying moments when Barron Trump learned of the assassination attempt on his father, Donald Trump. Melania Trump's book provides a rare glimpse into the family's private struggles with security concerns and calls for national unity in the face of political division.
