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POLITICS

Trump met with Laken Riley’s family backstage before Georgia rally: 'Profoundly honored'

Former President Trump blamed President Biden for the nursing student's death over his 'open border' policies

Brie Stimson By Brie Stimson Fox News
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Former President Trump met with Laken Riley's family before speech Video

Former President Trump met with Laken Riley's family before speech

Former President Trump met with murdered college student Laken Riley's family and friends before a campaign speech, Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga.

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Former President Donald Trump met with the family of Laken Riley backstage before speaking at a rally in Georgia on Saturday.

"I met her beautiful mother and family backstage," Trump told the crowd in Rome. "They said she was like the best. She was always the best to us. They admit that she was the best, and she was the first in her class. She was going to be the best nurse. She was the best nursing student. She was always the best. She was the brightest light in every room, they told me."

He added, "She was the whole world to her parents and to her sister and just to the whole family." 

Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia, was allegedly killed by a Venezuelan migrant in the country illegally while she was on a jog on Feb. 22. 

LAKEN RILEY'S MOTHER BLASTS BIDEN AS PATHETIC FOR GETTING DAUGHTER'S NAME WRONG DURING SOTU

Former President Donald Trump he met with the family of Laken Riley backstage before speaking at a rally in Georgia on Saturday.

Former President Donald Trump he met with the family of Laken Riley backstage before speaking at a rally in Georgia on Saturday. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump laid the blame for Riley’s death on President Biden. 

"Biden has implemented a formal policy that illegal aliens who intrude into the United States are granted immunity from deportation," Trump said. "Thus, when this monster showed up at our border, he was set free immediately under the program. That crooked Joe created it." 

Biden Riley

Trump blamed Biden's border policies for Laken Riley's death.  (Getty Images)

He added that they were "profoundly honored" to have Riley’s family and friends at the rally. 

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"They're so incredible," he continued. "The hearts of hundreds of thousands and indeed millions and millions of Americans and people worldwide, they're shattered alongside of your beautiful hearts. We share your grief. We share your grief. Thank you, darling. Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate it."

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