Trump Jr's wife in hospital after opening envelope filled with white powder

Vanessa Trump is not believed to be seriously harmed

(FILES) This file photo taken on April 17, 2017 shows Donald Trump, Jr., son of US President Donald Trump, attending the 139th White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
Donald Trump Jr set off a sour reaction on Twitter with a Halloween tweet in which he joked he'll teach his three-year-old daughter about socialism by taking away half her candy. "I'm going to take half of Chloe's candy tonight & give it to some kid who sat at home. It's never to early to teach her about socialism," the US president's son posted, along with a picture with a bucket of treats. The message didn't go over well on Twitter, unleashing a cascade of mostly negative comments.
 / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB
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US President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law has been taken to hospital after opening an envelope containing white powder.

Vanessa Trump, who is married to Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, opened the letter which was addressed to her husband at their Manhattan flat.

Police said Mrs Trump complained of nausea afterwards and was coughing hard.

She and two other people were treated by firefighters and taken to hospital, the Weill Cornell Medical Centre, for evaluation.

The New York Police Department and the Secret Service are investigating.

In September, Mr Trump Jr chose to forgo Secret Service protection for himself, his wife and his five children. However, the protection was reactivated a week later.

US authorities have been on alert for mail with white powder in it since 2001, when envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and US politicians, killing five people.