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As the unrest continued, the White House adjusted its tone. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt referred to the shooting as a “tragedy,” marking a noticeable shift from earlier statements that implied Pretti was responsible for his own death. Donald Trump also stated that his administration would formally review the incident, a move seen by some as an attempt to ease mounting political pressure.
It was against this backdrop that Melania Trump addressed the situation during an appearance on Fox & Friends. Her decision to speak publicly was notable, given her long-standing reluctance to engage directly with politically charged crises. Rather than focusing on the details of the shooting or assigning blame, she centered her remarks on de-escalation.
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