Donald Trump Had This Emotional Moment in Wisconsin

For all the preparation, research, and planning that goes into a presidential campaign, more times than not, they often turn on those completely unscripted moments that catch everyone by surprise.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump had one of those unscripted moments on Tuesday during a campaign rally in Wisconsin. Afterward, he described it as “the most beautiful moment I have had since campaigning for president.”

During the town hall event in Janesville, the businessman took questions from the audience. That’s when Miss Wisconsin USA 2005 winner Melissa Young stood and offered a comment rather than a question:

“I just want to say, ‘Thank you.’ You have saved me, in so many ways, in recent years. I have been struggling with an incurable illness and I’m on home care now. It was caused by a doctor’s medical negligence, and in those dark days, fighting—right now all of the tubes have been removed and I have a do-not-resuscitate order and I have a 7-year-old son—in those days in the hospital, I received from you a handwritten letter that said, ‘To the bravest woman I know.'”

Trump said he remembered writing the note, calling Young “an amazing, beautiful woman,” and then asked if the 2005 Miss USA Pageant Miss Congeniality winner was doing OK now. Young, who has an autonomic failure condition as a result of medical negligence during her pregnancy, said, “No, but that’s OK.”

“I’m here right now to thank you in person. That was my biggest dream. I wanted to thank you, because through you and your organizations, my son—who is Mexican-American and 7 years old—through your organizations, and just being able to stand on that stage with you back in 2005, the outpouring of love that came from that ultimately provided my son, when he graduates high school, with a full-ride to college.”

“We’re going to be watching your boy,” Trump responded, directing the attention of one of his campaign staff to establish a means of contact with Young. “But you’re going to hopefully be around, and you’re not going to have to have anyone watching. Believe me, those doctors are going to be so wrong.

“But we’ll be helping you.”

The former pageant queen had more she wanted to say to the businessman, however.

“Thank you, and God bless you,” she said. “Through your efforts, you have sent him to college.

“I’ve been writing letters to him for when I am in Heaven to tell him what you have done for him. He now has a great responsibility to pay it forward, just as you have done for us. I can’t thank you enough.”

Trump, who was visibly moved by the exchange, interrupted the rally so he could go down to where Young was seated. The two hugged one another and kissed each other on the cheek.

Young’s story has been told a few times by various outlets. She had previously written an “open letter” to Trump on her Facebook page last summer. In it, she expounded on the point she was able to make in person Tuesday:

As my body is getting weaker, I am unsettled by the fact that I have never been able to directly thank you. Because of you and your efforts, my son Jack who is Mexican-American, has a chance at a better future and a solid education. You and the Miss USA pageant played a tremendous role in my life. It was the BIGGEST honor of my life to compete on your Miss USA stage in 2005 representing the state of Wisconsin.

As a little girl that grew up homeless and in extreme poverty, it was my dream come true to stand on that very stage. Winning Miss Congeniality was beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. I don’t know if I can even accurately describe to you how much it meant to me to even be there in light of the circumstances in which I grew up in.

The bonds that were formed during the pageant, molded a best friendship with my sister-in-life, Chelsea Cooley Altman—who just happened to win Miss USA that year. About 3 years ago, Chelsea was in NYC and attended one of your many functions at Trump Tower, where you debuted FundAnything.com. This turned out to be a life changing event for my son and I. I am forever indebted to you.

It’s been almost 7 years since my world was turned upside down while giving birth to Jack. Because of a lack of care during my pregnancy by my doctor I was stricken with an incurable disease that left me unable to physically care for my son. I fight every day with every fiber of my being to have simple, but lasting moments with him. Living in fear as a result of the horrific lack of care and negligence from my doctors and medical professionals, kept me silent, where I was too scared to share the cause of my illness with anyone.

A year and a half ago, when Chelsea found out about my disease, she immediately took it upon herself to start a scholarship fundraiser for Jack through your organization, FundAnything, so that neither he nor I would have to worry about college for him—especially since I won’t be here when he crosses that milestone in life. At the same time, since I am now uninsurable for life insurance, Chelsea was adamant I allow her to do this for Jack.

Within days, the fund soared. Where by the end of the campaign, thousands of dollars were donated for the fund for my 6 year old son—a Mexican-American. I cannot tell you how incredible the outpouring of support, donations and thousands of letters from around the world have been.

There came a day during the campaign, that I will never forget. I was VERY ill and out of the blue, a package showed up, hand-delivered from you. Even while traveling, you took the time to send such a wonderful message of hope and support. I was going through some very dark times and this was unbelievable that not just anyone—but Donald Trump himself—took the time to think of my son and me.

I have looked up to you my entire life. The scholarship fund is more than what it entails. This ultimately gave me the gift of peace. I will not be here to walk Jack through that stage of his life. As a mother, knowing that his education is taken care of, is the most special gift anyone could ever give me. And because of your organizations—Miss USA and FundAnything.com—you have given me the greatest gifts of all: peace of mind, heart and soul.

I have been writing letters to Jack so that he can read them when I am in Heaven, explaining how you, your organization, and the snowballing effect of support from people all around the world have forever changed our world. With this, I have explained to Jack that a great responsibility has been instilled in him to pay it forward just as you have done for us. Yours is a gift that will keep on giving.