Today Melania, 53, will appear at a LGBTQ+ conservative fundraiser at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. It will be her first appearance at a political event since Trump launched his bid to regain the presidency - an absence that has been a potentially worrying sign for Trump in a country that traditionally prizes political candidates with loyal spouses and wholesome families.
It comes at the end of a week that saw the 77-year-old become the first former US president in history to stand criminal trial. The case, involving a hush money payment by Trump to an adult film performer, would be enough to test any marriage. Yet it seems the former and possibly future first lady is again prepared to campaign for her husband-up to a point.
"It's not going to be in volume but you'll see her at key moments," said Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump. "She likes to heighten the interest in her appearances [...] She's hyper-aware of her persona." The former Slovenian model, who married Trump in 2005, became only the second foreign-born first lady in US history. She delayed moving to the White House and in one incident was seen swatting his hand away, but came to love the trappings and prestige of being first lady.
Since Trump's defeat in 2020 she has kept a low profile. Her main public appearances have included a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, and funerals for Trump's older sister and her own mother, Amalija Knavs. Last year she addressed a naturalisation ceremony in Washington, telling new Americans that citizenship means "actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom".
But her absence is often more notable than her presence. Melania has been missing from campaign rallies and court appearances. When Trump celebrated Super Tuesday primary election victories with a party at Mara-Lago, his children Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany were there but not his wife.
Just as in the 2016 campaign, Jordan believes Melania will pick her moments. "Everything she does is very thought-out and calculated," she said. "Yes, we're going to be seeing her at key moments but we're not going to be seeing her as other political spouses are. She never has and never will act like any other political spouse the country's ever seen."
The spouse in US politics is often a vital surrogate, able to step in at fundraisers or other events and to vouch for the character of their partner. Few doubt the authenticity of Joe and Jill Biden's love. But the Trumps, who typically sleep in separate rooms and lead separate lives, have never followed anyone else's playbook.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1588175106/1713582428/articles/CdbACntqi1713603886654/3116133538.jpg]
It might be assumed this week would be especially rough for Melania. The trial is on charges of falsifying records tied to a $130,000 (£100,000) payment to buy Stormy Daniels' silence about an alleged sexual encounter not long after Melania gave birth to their s...
It comes at the end of a week that saw the 77-year-old become the first former US president in history to stand criminal trial. The case, involving a hush money payment by Trump to an adult film performer, would be enough to test any marriage. Yet it seems the former and possibly future first lady is again prepared to campaign for her husband-up to a point.
"It's not going to be in volume but you'll see her at key moments," said Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump. "She likes to heighten the interest in her appearances [...] She's hyper-aware of her persona." The former Slovenian model, who married Trump in 2005, became only the second foreign-born first lady in US history. She delayed moving to the White House and in one incident was seen swatting his hand away, but came to love the trappings and prestige of being first lady.
Since Trump's defeat in 2020 she has kept a low profile. Her main public appearances have included a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, and funerals for Trump's older sister and her own mother, Amalija Knavs. Last year she addressed a naturalisation ceremony in Washington, telling new Americans that citizenship means "actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom".
But her absence is often more notable than her presence. Melania has been missing from campaign rallies and court appearances. When Trump celebrated Super Tuesday primary election victories with a party at Mara-Lago, his children Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany were there but not his wife.
Just as in the 2016 campaign, Jordan believes Melania will pick her moments. "Everything she does is very thought-out and calculated," she said. "Yes, we're going to be seeing her at key moments but we're not going to be seeing her as other political spouses are. She never has and never will act like any other political spouse the country's ever seen."
The spouse in US politics is often a vital surrogate, able to step in at fundraisers or other events and to vouch for the character of their partner. Few doubt the authenticity of Joe and Jill Biden's love. But the Trumps, who typically sleep in separate rooms and lead separate lives, have never followed anyone else's playbook.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1588175106/1713582428/articles/CdbACntqi1713603886654/3116133538.jpg]
It might be assumed this week would be especially rough for Melania. The trial is on charges of falsifying records tied to a $130,000 (£100,000) payment to buy Stormy Daniels' silence about an alleged sexual encounter not long after Melania gave birth to their s...
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The Guardian (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 20, 2024