At the opening night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Melania Trump did not speak or even show up. Her husband, Donald Trump, was formally elected the Republican presidential nominee after a delegate roll call vote. Melania Trump did not even make an appearance.
During the time that Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who was introduced as Trump's running mate on Monday, was walking about the convention floor with his wife, Usha, Melania’s absence was very conspicuous, PEOPLE reported.
It has been a long-standing custom for spouses of presidential nominees to provide speeches at conventions. Melania has delivered speeches at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and 2020, however she is not included on the list of speakers scheduled to deliver speeches at the 2024 convention.
Tuesday evening is typically the time when spouses are scheduled to speak in front of the convention throng. New Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are among the notable individuals who will be delivering statements during the evening session on Tuesday of this year.
As of Thursday, when former President Trump is scheduled to deliver his final speech, Melania is anticipated to make an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
To recall, there was a significant presence of Melania during the Republican convention that took place in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2016. Before it was discovered that her address was, to a large measure, a plagiarized version of the one that Michelle Obama had delivered at the Democratic convention in 2008, her speech was praised for its admirable qualities.
Following the COVID-19 epidemic, which required the convention to be held virtually in 2020, it is anticipated that Trump's wife will be physically present at the Republican gathering in Milwaukee (Wisconsin), but her position will be reserved for the purpose of maintaining discretion.
The wife of Donald Trump broke her quiet with a lengthy statement on X following the attack that was carried out on the former president on Saturday. However, she was not there at her husband's first public appearance following the tragedy, which took place on Monday night.
"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion: his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. In the midst of the political machine, the fundamental aspects of my husband's life, including his human side, were buried. I have been through the best of times and the worst of times with Donald, the generosity and loving man who has been there for me through it all. Let us not forget that love is more important than different points of view, policies, and political games on the political stage," she stated on her Facebook page.
Jill Biden, who is currently serving as the first lady, reportedly called her later on Sunday, as reported by the White House.
Melania has only had a testimonial presence in the Republican campaign, in contrast to Jill, who has gone on to become a famous political supporter of her husband. She is able to accompany her husband at crucial times and can hold up to three rallies in a single day to beg for the vote.
President Joe Biden was accompanied by Jill Biden to the debate that took place in Atlanta on June 27; however, the Republican contender turned up by himself. Not only has Melania Trump not been present at any of her husband's court appearances, but she has also not been present at any of the enormous rallies that he has held around the country. She has also not been present at any of the Republican primaries.
One of these was particularly painful for her to experience. It was determined that Donald Trump was guilty of 34 charges of fabricating checks, invoices, and accounting records in order to conceal payments. The purpose of these accusations was to cover up the scandal surrounding his alleged relationship with porn actress Stormy Daniels and to prevent it from having an impact on the presidential campaign of 2016.
Melania was spared the opportunity to hear the detailed account of how, according to Daniels, the magnate received her in his hotel room while wearing silk pajamas. Also, after briefly going to the bathroom, she discovered him in bed wearing boxers and a T-shirt. Additionally, he blocked her way to the exit, and they ended up having sexual relations without a condom.
The ex-FLOTUS did not accompany the former president to the trial. As part of a civil lawsuit, Trump was ordered to pay $5 million to the author E. Jean Carroll, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Manhattan luxury department store. Carroll's allegations were brought against Trump.
The fact of the matter is that Melania has not attended nearly all of her husband's public appearances, regardless of whether or not these cases have anything to do with it. He made the announcement that he will run for president of the United States of America in the elections that took place this year in November 2022 at his Mar-a-Lago house in Palm Beach, Florida. She was there to support him. The primary election in Florida was held in March of last year.
In addition, Melania has participated in a number of fundraising events that were held behind closed doors, the most recent of which was hosted at her residence in New York and was attended by conservative members of the LGBTI+ community. During the month of March, she also accompanied her husband to a meal at Mar-a-Lago that was hosted for the leader of Hungary, Viktor Orbán.
These are acts that are either isolated or low-profile. The wife of Donald Trump has, for whatever reason, refrained from participating in her husband's plans. Nevertheless, Melania is included on the roster of attendees at the Republican National Convention, which was a decision that had already been made before to the incident that took place on Saturday.
On the other hand, Melania is not included on the list of speakers that the Republican Party has published. As part of the campaign, the candidates' spouses frequently deliver speeches in which they discuss the professional and personal characteristics of their partners.
At the 2020 convention, which was held online, Melania delivered a speech from the White House. However, the speech that has been most remembered by the general public is the one that she delivered in Cleveland in 2016. In that speech, she partially copied a speech that Barack Obama's wife had delivered eight years previously in Denver. As soon as the plagiarism was uncovered, her speechwriter resigned from her position.
Netizens wondered where Melania could possibly be, especially since her husband just dodged a so-called “assassination attempt” earlier this week. “Anyone else wondering where Melania has been and why after her husband was almost killed she is not attending the RNC with him? I’m not criticizing. I’m just wondering. It’s strange,” one netizen wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Where is Ivanka and where are Melania and Barron? Will they be coming out later? I PRAY they are there with President Trump!!!” another X user stated. “Melania didn’t travel to Milwaukee for the RNC with her husband after an assassination attempt and still hasn’t been seen with him?” a third netizen penned.
“Where is Melania Trump? Former First Lady absent from first night of RNC. I guess @realDonaldTrump cut right ear by glass was not important enough for her to attend the RNC convention. WOW and ouch to @realDonaldTrump @GOP @seanhannity @tedcruz,” another shared.
“Democrat's have now moved on to where's Melania. Melania doesn't have to hold her husbands hand because of dementia. She's raising money at her own fundraiser. The desperation from the democrats is palpable,” a Trump supporter commented.
"#WheresMalaria? Y is @CBSNews not asking where his gold digger wife is? Y is @CBSNews NOT demanding a medical report specifying tfg’s “injury?” Y is @CBSNews taking a known liar’s word 4 it while reporting it as FACT? Y is @CBSNews serving tfg & not the PEOPLE?#ThePressIsFailing," another netizen ranted.
"Melania put out a big OMG he was almost killed! statement but hasn’t gone to see him since it happened? Yeah…. That’s love," another X user retorted. "Family? Even his wife hates him so much that she refuses to stand by him. Please STOP GASLIGHTING," a critic suggested.
Business Times has reached out to Melania Trump for comments.
