Last Monday, two days after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump appeared publicly for the first time at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The event is set to crown him once again as the United States presidential candidate. The conservative leader, now a magnetic figure for his supporters, sparked wild enthusiasm. Yet his nomination featured a conspicuous absence: former first lady Melania Trump, who has remained largely invisible during this campaign.
In 2016, Melania, then the wife of the future president, supported her husband’s bid for the White House with a speech celebrating their shared values. Her words drew global attention when it emerged that she had borrowed passages from Michelle Obama in 2008. Four years later, amid a pandemic year in 2020, she offered support to her husband remotely. Unlike then, Melania has kept a notably lower political profile today.
Across the United States, it is a tradition for the wife of a candidate to step forward with personal anecdotes that humanize and elevate the candidate. The current first lady, Jill Biden, has been actively fundraising and urging voters to back her husband, Joe Biden, in recent weeks.
Bearing Tradition
Melania does not follow that path. Her stepson, Eric Trump, has stated that the former model will appear today with clear focus and impact during the fourth and final day of the Trump convention, though her presence is expected to be restrained since she is not listed as a speaker. This deviation marks a break with decades of convention.
“Melania knows what she is doing and does what she wants. She dislikes public speaking. She is reserved and perceptive enough to know that speaking little can command more attention. Staying out of the spotlight can actually heighten interest when she finally steps forward,” explained a journalist who authored a biography about her, noting the measured approach often taken by Melania.
Low Profile
Melania has kept public appearances to a minimum. In recent months she has attended closed-door events, ranging from fundraisers to dinners at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate with the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán. On social media she has mixed official statements with promotion of a new jewelry line. While she shared a statement condemning the attack on her husband, she has not leveraged her platforms to promote a broader presidential campaign. The most recent video she posted of Trump on the platform formerly known as Twitter last October 2022 is a rare glimpse into her public communications.
Her silence may reflect a deliberate choice to distance herself from the incendiary rhetoric of the former president by adopting a more conciliatory tone, similar to her approach during his presidency. It also coincides with personal reasons, including the passing of her mother in January, Amalija Knaves, which added another layer of private sorrow to the public figure’s life.
Sex Scandals
Nevertheless, it is hard to miss that Melania’s low profile has run parallel to Trump’s ongoing legal and personal turmoil. Journalist Mary Jordan, author of a biography about Melania, has suggested that long-standing frustration over her husband’s sexual scandals has pushed her away from the courtroom spotlight. The president has faced multiple legal challenges, including a conviction on counts related to hush payments Shielding a porn actress from public exposure, a case tied to allegations of sexual encounters and the political whirlwind surrounding them. He has also faced claims of sexual misconduct and defamation involving a well-known writer, further complicating the public narrative around the couple.