Melania Trump: 'Donald is intensely loyal'

Declaring her husband ready to serve and lead the United States, Melania Trump sought to simultaneously show the soft and strong sides of Donald Trump on Monday night in her speech before the Republican National Convention.

"The 2016 Republican primaries were fierce and started with many candidates, 17 to be exact. And I know that Donald agrees with me and I mentioned how talented all of them are. They deserve the respect and gratitude from all of us," Trump said. "However, when it comes to my husband, I will say that I’m definitely biased and for good reason, I have been with Donald for 18 years and I've been aware of his love for this country since we first met."


Donald Trump himself introduced his wife, with his characteristic flair for the dramatic, arriving on the stage of Quicken Loans Arena with no introduction, just the opening strains of "We Are the Champions" and a Broadway-worthy backlit entrance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to present the next first lady of United States, my wife and amazing mother, and incredible woman, Melania Trump. Thank you very much. Thank you," Trump said

Recounting her immigration to the United States 20 years ago, Melania Trump called her U.S. citizenship "the greatest privilege on Planet Earth" before issuing a tribute to veterans and in particular, former Sen. Bob Dole, the party's nominee in 1996.

"With all of my heart, I know that he will make a great and lasting difference. Donald has a great and deep and unbounding determination and a never-give-up attitude," Trump said. "If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you that he is the guy. He will never ever give up and most importantly, he will never ever let you down. Donald is and always has been an amazing leader. Now, he will go to work for you."

Trump's achievements "speak for themselves," his wife continued, saying that his performance in the primary proves that he knows how to win.

"He also knows how to remain focused on improving our country, on keeping it safe and secure. He is tough when he has to be," Melania Trump said. "but he is also kind and fair and caring."

"This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with," she said, to applause. "Donald is intensely loyal to family, friends, employees, country. He has the utmost respect for his parents, Mary and Fred, to his sisters Maryanne and Elizabeth, to his brother Robert, and to the memory of his late brother, Fred. His children have been cared for and mentored to the extent that even his advisers admit that they are amazing testament to who he is as a man and a father."

Vowing that her husband will represent "all of the people, not just some of the people," Trump said that "includes Christians and Jews, and Muslims, it includes 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 many nations," she said, remarking that her husband's success "indicates inclusion rather than division."

"My husband offers a new direction, welcoming change prosperity and greater cooperation among people and nations," Trump said.

As she closed, the first lady hopeful called for party unity.

"The primary season and its toughness is behind us. Let's all come together in a national campaign like no other. The race will be hard-fought all the way to November. There will be good times and hard times and unexpected turns," she said. "It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama."

As Melania Trump finished her 15-minute speech, waving to the crowd, "We Are the Champions" cued up once more and she embraced her husband as they both posed for pictures.

The presumptive Republican flashed a thumbs-up, waving to the cheering crowd for a moment after his wife had left the stage.