Melania Trump amplifies her political involvement by casting doubt on the assault against her spouse and the outcomes of the 2020 elections.
The previous first lady made an uncommon move back into the national political limelight this week, starting with a video uploaded on X on Tuesday. In this video, she expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding the summer's assassination attempt on her spouse. She questioned, "Why wasn't the shooter apprehended by law enforcement before the speech?" She further asserted, "There's definitely more to this tale, and it's crucial to uncover the truth."
The specific concerns she's focusing on remain unclear. Her office did not respond to a request for clarification.
This video was one of a small collection she've been sharing to promote her forthcoming memoir, titled "Melania", due for release on October 8.
On Sunday, her X account posted a short video featuring her voice, discussing the 2020 election results. She mentioned, "The 2020 election results transformed our lives forever. They affected our standard of living, food prices, gasoline costs, safety, and even international politics. America is more divided currently than it has ever been. It's become evident that there are significant challenges to free speech, as demonstrated by the attempts to suppress my husband."
The memoir marks a departure from her usual approach for the 2024 presidential race, as her ex-husband, former President Donald Trump, continues his campaign to become president once more. Unlike traditional spouses of major-party presidential candidates, she's opted for minimal campaigning. She made brief appearances at Trump's campaign launch at Mar-a-Lago, joined him to vote in the Florida primary, and headlined a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans in New York in early July. In April, she attended a fundraiser with her husband hosted by investor John Paulson.
During the Republican National Convention, she didn't deliver a speech but appeared on stage during the final night.
A day after the attempted assassination on her husband in Butler, Pennsylvania, she issued a brief two-page statement advocating unity. "Rise above hate, vitriol, and simple-minded ideas that incite violence," she wrote in the July 14 statement. "We all desire a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can create this world again. Each of us must demand to regain it. We must insist that respect serves as the foundation of our relationships once more."
Retiring from public life post-presidency is typical for former presidents and spouses. However, spouses of presidential nominees usually become more visible to boost their partner's chances.
Her selective public appearances and statements suggest she does so only when she feels strongly about an issue, according to Republican strategist Tricia McLaughlin. She added, "It seems she speaks up and becomes more visibly active when she genuinely feels passionate about something – the Republican Log Cabin events, her husband's convention acceptance speech, and now this matter concerning transparency in the attempted assassination investigation."
Her recent public appearances have primarily focused on promoting her memoir. Her team stresses that she's selective about her public engagements and primarily focuses on raising her son, Barron. Despite this, they reassure that she continues to support her husband's candidacy. Even so, Melania Trump herself has repeatedly described herself as a private person.
However, her latest posts have been more direct than most of her deliberate public appearances.
On her website, the book is described as "the powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has defined personal excellence, overcome adversity, and forged her own path" and includes "stories and images never before shared with the public."
The renewed interest in politics from the previous first lady has sparked discussions about her motivations and intentions. Her recent posts and statements suggest a stronger involvement in the investigation surrounding her spouse's assassination attempt.
The focus of her forthcoming memoir, "Melania", may not be solely on her personal life but could also delve into her views and experiences in the political sphere.
