In her first interview in more than two years, former first lady Melania Trump said she considered her husband’s survival after two assassination attempts to be “miracles” and gave new details about the former president , notably his desire to have more children.
The Slovenian-born former model has remained an enigma during the 2024 election cycle, remaining largely absent from the campaign trail, breaking norms by not speaking at the Republican National Convention and skipping key moments for her husband , Donald Trump, including his primary victory parties and court appearances in New York and Florida.
In a pre-recorded interview broadcast Thursday morning on Fox News, Melania Trump called on Democrats and members of the media to stop portraying her husband as a threat to democracy. She accused the media of “fueling a toxic atmosphere” and empowering those who “want to harm her.” Democrats had previously criticized Trump for his violent rhetoric, including helping to incite an attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“It’s not normal,” she told “Fox & Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt.
Melania Trump added: “Is it really shocking that all of this blatant violence is directed at my husband? Especially as we hear opposition party leaders and mainstream media calling him a threat to democracy and calling him vile names?
The former first lady added: “This has to stop.”
READ: Melania Trump’s full statement after Donald Trump was injured at a rally
Melania Trump said a staffer alerted her to the shooting at a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Earlier this month, Melania said she was in New York when she saw television reports of the second assassination attempt at her Florida golf course.
“I think something was watching over him,” she said of her husband who survived both assassination attempts. “It’s almost as if ‘the’ country really needs him.”
Melania Trump is promoting her new memoir, set for release October 8.
When asked if she and her husband had ever discussed expanding their family, she revealed that the Republican presidential candidate tried to persuade her to have more children. “I’ve always been perfectly fine with one,” she said. “And Donald was encouraging to have more. And I said that’s fine with me because it’s a very busy life, and I know how busy he is. And I’m responsible for everything. That’s why it’s just perfect.
The Slovenia native said the fashion industry gave her the “thick skin” to withstand attacks as the wife of a president, who is one of the most polarizing political figures in recent memory .
“The fashion industry is glamorous, but at the same time, it’s very difficult,” she said. “Everyone judges you, looks at you “a certain way,” so it can also be a mean world. So nothing prepared me better for this world than fashion. It gives you thick skin. Melania also revealed that her son, Barron Trump, had decided to continue living in their New York residence while studying at New York University.
“I can’t say I’m an empty nester. I don’t feel that way,” she said. “It was his decision to come here, that he wanted to be in New York, study in New York and live at home. And I respect that.
