Melania and Ivanka make rare joint appearance as they join Donald Trump to ring NYSE opening bell
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump came together for a rare joint public appearance at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, December 12, as they joined President-elect Donald Trump for the ringing of the opening bell.
This marked a moment of celebration for Trump, who was recently named TIME’s '2024 Person of the Year'.
Donald Trump is TIME's Person of the Year https://t.co/IjP5W2otV5 pic.twitter.com/CVHX9o0DB3
— TIME (@TIME) December 12, 2024
Donald Trump's family moment amid political triumph
Pregnant Tiffany Trump, the president-elect’s youngest daughter, was also in attendance.
She stood next to Ivanka, while Vice President-elect JD Vance was positioned between Melania and Ivanka.
For Donald Trump, this was a milestone occasion as it marked his first time opening stock trading.
The event highlighted his New York roots as a real estate mogul and set the stage for his ambitious plans for economic recovery as he prepares to take office in January.
Melania Trump’s return to NYSE bell
This was not Melania Trump’s first time ringing the NYSE bell.
As the first lady, she previously rang the bell to promote her 'Be Best' campaign in 2019.
Her husband acknowledged her past participation, humorously admitting she “beat him to it” and was “very popular” in her role.
During the formal bell-ringing ceremony, Melania and Ivanka stood apart as NYSE traders cheered, chanting “USA, USA, USA.”
CEO of TIME, Jessica Sibley, stood between the two women, symbolizing the magazine’s recognition of Trump’s impact.
Donald Trump reflects on past achievements and future plans
In his remarks before ringing the bell, Donald Trump thanked TIME magazine and NYSE Chairman Jeff Sprecher.
He reflected on his legacy, including his first stint in office, and vowed to restore America’s economy, according to Daily Mail.
“When we left, we didn’t have any of these problems,” Trump said, listing issues such as inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel conflict.
“We had a very strong economy. And we will do that again,” he added.
This is Trump’s second TIME 'Person of the Year' title, having first received the honor in 2016 after his initial presidential victory.
The president-elect joins an elite group of 13 US presidents who have received the accolade, including Joe Biden in 2020.
The title reflects the “biggest impact—for good or ill—on the world,” as TIME described it.
Trump’s dramatic year included a decisive election win, surviving an assassination attempt in July, and becoming the first US president convicted of a crime in May.
Tense dynamics between Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump
The appearance of Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump together is notable given their historically tense relationship.
Reports from Donald Trump’s first administration detailed clashes, including Ivanka’s failed attempt to claim East Wing office space.
The two rarely collaborated or appeared together during those years, leading to speculation about their dynamic.
Both women distanced themselves from the president-elect's campaign this time, attending only key events like the Republican National Convention.
Melania and Ivanka are expected to reunite again in January when Trump is sworn in for his second term.
