Trump Jr. terror scare
WIFE OPENS POWDER LETTER
PRESIDENT TRUMP’S daughter-in-law was taken to a hospital Monday after she opened a piece of mail addressed to her husband that contained an unknown white powder, police sources said.
Vanessa Trump, 40, who is married to Donald Trump Jr., did not suffer any complications but was decontaminated, and then taken as a precaution to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell.
Police sources later Monday said the substance was in an envelope with a Boston postmark and was most likely corn starch.
A preliminary test had indicated the powder wasn’t dangerous, police said.
Authorities were called at about 10 a.m. to the E. 54th St. home of Vanessa Trump’s mother, who was also taken to the hospital for observation, according to sources. The mother had handled the package before handing it to her daughter. In addition, a third person was taken to the hospital.
When Vanessa Trump opened the letter, white powder spilled out. She then called 911. The former model, and her husband, also 40, have five children, none of whom were there at the time of the incident. Trump Jr. blamed the letter on political opposition.
“Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning,” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted hours later. “Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior.”
The President’s daughter Ivanka Trump, also weighed in.
“Thinking of @MrsVanessaTrump & wishing I was by her side today,” she tweeted. “No one deserves to be frightened this way. There is no excuse.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump was aware of the incident.
“I know the President spoke with her,” Sanders told reporters at the White House press briefing. “Beyond that, at this point it’s an ongoing and active investigation, so I can’t comment any further.”
Vanessa Trump later expressed her gratitude to law enforcement.
“Thank you so much for all the help today in NYC!” she tweeted. “I appreciate all the quick response to make sure that I was safe! Thank you @FDNY @SecretService @NYPDnews @NYPDCT @NewYorkFBI.”
In March 2016, police and FBI agents investigated a threatening letter sent to the Manhattan apartment of Trump Jr.’s brother Eric that also contained a white powder that turned out to be harmless.
Envelopes containing white powder were also sent to Trump Tower, which served as the President’s campaign headquarters, twice in 2016.