Melania Trump has been largely absent from the 2024 campaign trail. Here’s what she’s been up to.
August 18, 20240
Melania Trump appeared onstage beside her husband during an event at the Mar-a-Lago Club, where he announced his third bid for the White House.
Although Donald Trump spoke virtually at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting three days later, Melania Trump remained out of the public eye for another month.
December 2022: She returned to the Mar-a-Lago Club to host a New Year’s Eve party.
While Donald Trump continued to make public appearances after the New Year’s Eve party — including his first 2024 campaign rally — Melania remained elusive until June, six months later.
However, Melania Trump spoke to new US citizens at a naturalization ceremony, saying she navigated a “labyrinth” of paperwork while trying to obtain a work visa early in her modeling career.
“I recall feeling a tremendous sense of pride and belonging after I recited the US oath of allegiance, as the pathway to citizenship is arduous,” she said.
January 2024: Members of the Trump family attend the funeral of Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs.
Melania Trump’s public-facing schedule began slowly ramping up this year.
The Palm Beach Post reported that she joined Donald Trump at a gala hosted by one of his fan clubs, the Trumpettes, in February. Official photos of the event were not published, but far-right activist Laura Loomer shared a video showing Melania Trump at the event.
She made another public appearance in March when Donald Trump visited a polling site in Palm Beach. When reporters asked her about a potential return to the campaign trail, she said, “Stay tuned.”
March 2024: Donald Trump accepted a gold award at Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
Melania Trump accompanied her husband to a fundraising event the following month, which was hosted at the home of John Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund manager. Donald Trump’s campaign said the event raised more than $50 million.
Outlets reported that Melania Trump also attended a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans in April. MeidasTouch Network editor in chief, Ron Filipkowski, shared footage of Melania Trump at the event.
May 2024: Melania Trump sat in the bleachers when Barron graduated high school.
Photographers saw Melania Trump leave Trump Tower in New York City in June. She would appear at the Republican National Convention five weeks later.
July 2024: Melania appeared at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Speculation about whether Melania Trump would appear at this year’s Republican National Convention spiked after she skipped the first three days.
She finally arrived to thunderous applause on the fourth day of the convention. She sat in the VIP box next to Donald Trump’s pick for vice president, JD Vance.