Melania Trump sparks furious backlash with ‘tone deaf’ and ‘narcissistic’ statement about the Capitol riots

As the situation in Washington DC reached fever-pitch last week when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, many were left questioning where the first lady Melania Trump was and what she was thinking.

According to CNN, the First Lady was finishing a photoshoot at the White House when her husband’s supporters broke into the US Capitol and violence ensued.

Since the deadly event unfolded, Melania has been criticised for her silence on the riot, which many believe was incited by her husband Donald Trump.

Today, after almost a week since protestors first began gathering in D.C., the First Lady has made a statement that’s been called “tone deaf” and “narcissistic”.

In it, she wrote: “I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me.”

Critics were outraged that Melania appeared to make the event about herself when five people died and politicians were in fear for their lives as the building was sieged.

She also drew strong criticism for including the names of rioters, as she wrote: "My heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbitt, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Roseanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood.”

Many have labelled the insurrectionists as domestic terrorists as four people and a police officer died in the clashes. One Twitter user described Melania naming them in her statement alongside the deceased police officer as “indefensibly horrendous”.

There are also accusations that parts of her new statement have been plagiarised from past speeches. This comes as many of her senior staff resigned following the violence.

Let’s hope incoming First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, can raise the bar when it comes to reading the public mood.