Former first lady Melania Trump on Sunday urged Americans to set aside their political differences and recognize their leaders as human beings with families in her first comments on the assassination attempt against her husband, former President Trump.

“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” the former first lady said in a statement posted to social media. “I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.

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

The former first lady, who has remained largely out of the public eye since leaving the White House in early 2021, called on Americans to “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 realize this world again,” she said. “Each of us demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships, again.”

Melania Trump thanked those who reached out to her “for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.”

The former president said Saturday he was hit in the ear by a bullet while speaking at a rally in Butler, Pa. One other rally attendee was killed, as was the suspected shooter.

The FBI has identified the suspect as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa.

Late on Saturday, Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee confirmed that the former president would still attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which starts Monday.

Melania Trump is expected to make a rare public appearance and attend the convention, though she is not scheduled to speak there.