Melania Trump has been criticized for her "tone deaf" response to the recent Capitol riots.
On Wednesday, January 6, pro-Trump protestors stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC and disrupted the ceremonial counting of the Electoral College votes.
The rioters then clashed with riot police, and Congress was halted while Vice President Mike Pence and a number of journalists and politicians were evacuated. Five people have been left dead as a result of the incident, including a police officer.
Responding to the incident in an official statement, which she shared with her 16.4 million Twitter followers on Monday, the First Lady condemned the violence. She wrote in part: "Like all of you, I have reflected on the past year and how the invisible enemy, Covid-19, swept across our beautiful country. All Nations have experienced the loss of loved ones, economic pain, and the negative impacts of isolation.
"As your First Lady, it has been inspiring to witness firsthand what the people of our great Nation will do for one another, especially when we are at our most vulnerable.
"With nearly every experience I have had, I found myself carrying many individual’s stories home with me in my heart.
"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. I pray for their families' comfort and strength during this difficult time."
The FLOTUS continued: "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 – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda.
"This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain. Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable.
"As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution. It is one of the paramount ideals which America is fundamentally built on.
"Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right. With that in mind, I would like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives.
"I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a person’s skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us."
However, on social media, a number of critics, pundits, and other members of the public perceived Melania's official statement as hypocritical, considering that many hold Donald Trump culpable as the instigator of the riots in the first place.
One person wrote: "Where is your acknowledgment that the Biden’s will be in the White House and wishing them well? You can’t ask everyone else to be civil and not take the proper steps yourself to quell the mob Trump created! [sic]"
Another chimed in: "It took you 5 DAYS to respond to the Capitol being hijacked by terrorists YOUR HUSBAND encouraged & cheered. 5 DAYS OF SILENCE as we learned about police being beaten & murdered. 5 DAYS OF SILENCE as we watch your family members dancing during a terrorist attack. No forgiveness. [sic]"
Someone else added: "You want 'healing, grace and understanding?' No, we start with accountability and justice first! Starting with your husband who incited these terrorists! [sic]"
Others took issue with the fact that the statement contained a number of typos and the fact that police officer Brian Sicknick was listed in the same sentence as the other four deceased rioters.
For instance, software engineer Edgar Reed wrote: "Can you imagine if there was a terrorist attack and the first person Michelle Obama’s heart went out to was one of the terrorists?"
Meanwhile, someone else added: "This is repulsive in many ways. But Melania lumping sympathy for dead terrorists in with Officer Sicknick who was murdered by those terrorists is indefensibly horrendous. [sic]"
Twitter user Eric Brown wrote: "This whole playing victim soliloquy should have been thrown in the garbage and not shared with the world. [sic]"
Someone else wrote: "It is an insult to the police officer who lost his life to mention him in the same sentence as those people whos actions as a group caused his death. You should be ashamed of yourself. [sic]"
Another Twitter user added: "You write the name of terrorists 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.' Telling! [sic]"
Some other Twitter users even went so far as to accuse the First Lady of plagiarism, citing certain similarities between her statement and her RNC speech made back in August:
However, there were some people who leaped to the First Lady's defense and applauded her words during the crisis.
For instance, one person wrote: "The HATERS on here are incredible!! Is this how the new administration wants to unite our country? With hate towards an elected sitting president? [sic]"
Another Melania supporter wrote: "Gosh, there's some vile, bitter, nasty people out there...Should take a glance in the mirror!"
Finally, someone else chimed in: "Words like these are what this country needs.
"Not more hate and viciousness. Not more doble standards and fanatism. Not more political figures trying to pitch one against another and to humiliate the opponent. Thank you for this generous example of Democracy. [sic]"
Incumbent POTUS Donald Trump himself has also condemned the violence during the violence and has promised an "orderly transition of power" during Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony on January 20.
