Howard Kurtz questions why Melania is 'barely visible' in Trump's campaign and is releasing memoir instead
WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News host Howard Kurtz remarked on former first lady Melania Trump being "barely visible" beside her husband, GOP nominee Donald Trump, as he campaigned across the country to be reinstated in the Oval Office in November, during a network segment on Sunday, September 29.
According to Newsweek, Kurtz claimed to have found it odd that Melania chose to spend her days promoting her new memoir, instead of supporting Trump's efforts, as he faces a strong challenge with his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Melania's absence beside Trump has stood in sharp contrast to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance's wife Usha Vance, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz's wife Gwen Walz, all three of whom have made multiple campaign appearances in support of their partners.
Howard Kurtz's take on Melania Trump's book release schedule
The memoir by the former model, titled 'Melania', is reportedly set for an October 8 release. It details the Slovenian childhood of the titular character, her fashion career, and meeting her now husband, former president Donald Trump. It further offers "behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the White House, shedding light on her advocacy work and the causes close to her heart."
Kurzt commented on Melania keeping a low public profile on Sunday, before asking Fox News analyst Kat Timpf if the timing of the book release is "odd" as she "has barely been visible in this campaign."
Timpf agreed with Kurtz and replied that it was indeed "a very odd timing." However, she also commented that Melania "is a very polished woman," and "when she speaks, I feel like I listen because she doesn't speak often."
Donald Trump described Melania Trump as a 'private person'
Since leaving the White House in 2020, Melania Trump has led a comparatively private life.
During a 2023 interview, Trump described her saying, "She's a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much." He also added that she would join him on the campaign trail at an "appropriate" time.
Melania did appear on 'Fox & Friends' for an interview on September 26, where she described Trump as a "family man" who had "kindness and positivity." She also commented on the apparent assassination attempts on her husband, stating, "I think something was watching over him. It's almost like the country really needs him."
