Melania Trump Reacts After New Year’s Day Incidents: ‘Brutality Must Stop’

Former first lady Melania Trump called the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day “deeply concerning,” adding that “brutality must stop.”

“The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop,” Trump posted on X, formerly Twitter. “My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss.”

Why It Matters

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been named the suspect in the New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 early Wednesday morning.

Later on Wednesday in Las Vegas, a Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel, killing one person and injuring seven others. It was not due to a defective Tesla, but instead “large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed,” according to CEO Elon Musk.

“Let us strive for a future where peace prevails,” Trump posted on X.

What To Know

Both incidents are being treated as an act of terrorism. They were both associated with the Turo app, the Associated Press reported.

At a press conference on Wednesday evening about the New Orleans attack, President Joe Biden also mentioned the Las Vegas incident, noting that law enforcement and the intelligence community are looking into whether there’s “any possible connection.”

“Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score at this time,” Biden said.

The attack in New Orleans occurred around 4:15 a.m. EST in the French Quarter, one of New Orleans’ busiest areas, during the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Four victims have been identified by their families: Reggie Hunter, Nikyra Dedeaux, Tiger Bech and Nicole Perez.

An ISIS flag, weapons and a potential IED were found in the suspect’s rented truck, according to the FBI. Two additional IEDs were found earlier Wednesday morning.

President Joe Biden said that the suspect had posted videos to social media in connection with terrorist organization ISIS “mere hours” before the incident.

Jabbar was allegedly staying at an Airbnb, which burned down earlier Wednesday, about a mile and a half away from the attacks.

President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day that the New Orleans incident proved he was right about criminals “coming in” to the United States, though law enforcement said the suspect was born in the U.S.

Across the country in Las Vegas, one person died, and seven more suffered from minor injuries after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in the Trump International Hotel valet area.

Police have yet to determine what caused the incident, but until then, they are treating the blast as a possible criminal act and a possible act of terror, ABC News reported.

What People Are Saying

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick: “This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil.”

Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, at a press conference: “Once the FBI has a chance to investigate all of this, working with state police, working with Homeland Security, working with the City of New Orleans, they are going to tell you what happened. I can promise you that. Or I’m going to raise fresh hell.”

President-elect Donald Trump, on Truth Social: “When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true.”

Eric Trump, one of the executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, on X: “Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.”

“The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”

Jeremy Schwartz, acting FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Las Vegas office, at a news conference: “I know you have a lot of questions.”

“We don’t have a lot of answers.”

What’s Next

The FBI is leading the investigation into the New Orleans case. Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing tips@fbi.gov.

The Las Vegas Police Department said it is investigating the fire and explosion. At Wednesday’s news conference, Schwartz confirmed that the FBI is also involved in this investigation.

“The investigation continues to be active, and no one should jump to conclusions,” Biden said at Wednesday’s press conference.

Update 1/1/25, 10:35 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.