CLEVELAND (JTA) — Speaking at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, said her husband does not discriminate based on race or religion.
Her speech, which came following a night of attacks on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration’s domestic and military record, seemed to aim for a more positive note in an often pugnacious campaign. In the speech, Melania Trump briefly recounted her life story as a fashion model and immigrant from Slovenia and praised her husband as generous and caring.
Near the end of the speech, she said Trump would work toward prosperity for all Americans, regardless of race, religion or class. The line was an implicit response to accusations that Trump is bigoted against minorities and has tolerated anti-Semitism among his followers, charges he denies.
“Donald intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people,” Melania Trump said. “That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims, Hispanics and African-Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle class. Throughout his career, Donald has successfully worked with people of many faiths and of many nations.”
Before Melania Trump’s speech, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani addressed the crowd, defending Trump’s character and policies. In his speech, Giuliani called last year’s accord limiting Iran’s nuclear program “one of the worst deals America ever made” because “it will allow them to become a nuclear power.”
