Melania Trump has broken her silence on the shooting of her husband Donald Trump by a would-be assassin and the horror when she realized her and son Barron's life were on the brink of 'devastating change'.

The former first lady called the gunman a 'monster' and described the moment she watched the bullet strike her husband's ear at a Pennsylvania rally in front of thousands of his adoring fans.

'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,' Melania said in an emotional statement on X on Sunday morning.

'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. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.'

The former first lady called for people to 'reunite' and said she is thinking of her fellow Americans.

'This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence,' her statement continued. 

'The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.'

The former first lady has stayed off the campaign trail so far as her husband mounts his bid for a second term in the White House, but she is set to attend the Republican National Convention this week in Milwaukee, WI.