Outgoing First Lady of the United States Melania Trump has finally broken silence around the Capitol Hill siege from January 6. Following the violence led by pro-Donald Trump mobs in a bid to interrupt the certification of the incoming administration, the First Lady's absence from the scene had been particularly pointed out. After refraining from making any comments around the riots, Trump on Monday took to Twitter to share an official statement condemning the siege.
Though "disappointed and disheartened" with what transpired last week, 50-year-old Trump mentioned there had been "unwarranted personal attacks" against her. "I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me," she said. Many on social media had slammed the First Lady's absence from the scene as "shameful" and "unbecoming" of the President's wife. She was held up against former First Lady Michelle Obama, who penned a lengthy statement strongly criticising the riots.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 11, 2021
Also Read: After Condemning Capitol Attack, Model Karlie Kloss Questioned Over Association With Trump In-Laws
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi most recently has stated that the Congress will proceed with impeaching Donald Trump from Presidency if the 25th Amendment fails to be implemented to remove him. Calls for the current President's impeachment comes only days ahead of Joe Biden's official swearing-in.
In the wake of the Capitol violence, tech giants Facebook and Twitter, among others like TikTok and Snapchat, have banned Donald Trump from using their platforms fearing hate speech and misinformation. Read about that here.
Melania Trump Remembers The Deceased And Calls For Peace
Referring to protestors, who are objecting to the incoming Joe Biden-Kamala Harris leadership calling foul on the election results, Trump wrote, "As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution... It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence."
Trump in her blog statement mourned the death of protestors like Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, and officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood who were the victims of the Capitol violence. Signing off, she mentions, "It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years..."
Also Read: Day After Capitol Riots, Nancy Pelosi Calls For Trump's Removal From Office Via 25th Amendment
Social Media Reactions To Melania Trump's Statement
Trump's statement, that calls for "healing, grace, understanding, and peace," is drawing flak on social media for various reasons. While some social media users are calling her out for remembering the pro-Trump protestors before Capitol servants of the state, other netizens called her letter "hypocritical" and "tone deaf."
Read some reactions below:
Interesting that Melania doesn't mention the fallen police officers first: "Most recently, my heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood." https://t.co/SCx6K6kdE0
— Daniel Lippman (@dlippman) January 11, 2021
You are “disappointed” about a violent, deadly insurrection and the desecration of our Capitol but “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations” about YOU is “shameful”?
— Rick Tyler-Still Right (@rickwtyler) January 11, 2021
Fire your writer. This one is TONE DEAF. https://t.co/gBbl8DIvTd
What an awful statement. Silence would’ve been better. https://t.co/kYodax6QE5
— Tony Fratto (@TonyFratto) January 11, 2021
I always love when @FLOTUS condemns “salacious gossip” before she does terrorism. https://t.co/LCjPlJxaoE
— Jacob Shropshire (@jdshropshire) January 11, 2021