First lady Melania Trump told Fox News viewers that Americans should "come on the same page" to heal deep political divisions, praising President Trump as a global "unifier." Her remarks come as tensions have surged following the seizure of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and the administration’s talk of interventions in countries such as Cuba, Colombia and Iran. Domestic unrest followed the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and the Jan. 24 death of nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, prompting personnel changes and a pledge to de-escalate operations in the state. The president softened his tone with Gov. Tim Walz but continued to attack some critics, including Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Melania Urges Americans To "Get On The Same Page," Calls Trump A "Unifier" As Tensions Rise
Melania hosted a private screening of her new movie at the White House. / JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images
First lady Melania Trump urged Americans to "come on the same page" to bridge sharp political divisions during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News' The Five, calling her husband a global "unifier." Her comments come as tensions across the country have surged amid high-profile foreign and domestic events.
On The Five
“There’s no question that the country needs a lot of unifying at this moment,” co-host Jessica Tarlov said.
“Yes, it does, but I think he’s a unifier,” Melania replied. “He’s a unifier not just here in the United States, but around the world. He stopped many wars.”
“Here in the United States, it’s a lot of opposition, and that’s the problem, right? So the people not agreeing with everything that he does… they just need to come on the same page and see that he wants to make America safer and better.”
National Context
Marchers in downtown Minneapolis—before Pretti was killed—waved signs decrying ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities metro area. / Star Tribune via Getty Images / Star Tribune via Getty Images
Tensions have been high since President Trump, 79, began 2026 by ordering the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic raid. The president subsequently named other countries where he has discussed possible U.S. intervention, including Cuba, Colombia and Iran.
Domestically, protests erupted after the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by federal agents during immigration operations in Minneapolis. That episode was followed by the Jan. 24 death of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in the same city. In the days after Good’s death, the president publicly criticized her despite reports she was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Administration Response
Renée Good and Alex Pretti were both killed by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. / OCTAVIO JONES / AFP via Getty Images
Facing mounting criticism over its approach in Minnesota, the administration said it would de-escalate operations. Trump announced personnel changes tied to the response: he sidelined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demoted Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, and dispatched border czar Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minneapolis.
“We have Tom Homan there now. We put him in there, he’s great,” Trump told Fox News during a campaign stop in Urbandale, Iowa. “And they met with the governor and the mayor and everybody else. And we’re going to de-escalate a little bit.”
Trump also described a more conciliatory conversation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz — whom he had publicly derided in December — writing on Truth Social that the governor asked to work together and that they appeared to be "on a similar wavelength."
The man responsible for attacking Rep. Omar was detained and arrested immediately. He has since been charged with third-degree assault. / OCTAVIO JONES / AFP via Getty Images
However, the president’s softer tone did not extend to all critics. After Rep. Ilhan Omar was assaulted by an individual reportedly linked to a Trump supporter, Trump called Omar a “fraud” and suggested the attack may have been staged.
What It Means
Melania’s call for unity frames the administration’s push for national cohesion amid escalating foreign adventurism and protests over law enforcement actions. Whether appeals to "come on the same page" will assuage critics or reduce tensions remains uncertain as political divisions and protests continue.
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