Melania Trump won't attend Trump's 'historic' Dallas GOP convention
WASHINGTON, DC: First Lady Melania Trump does not plan to attend next week's Republican midterm convention, maintaining her limited presence at GOP political events.
The Dallas gathering is designed to showcase the Trump administration's accomplishments and rally Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
A White House official confirmed her absence Friday afternoon after the Washington Post reported the decision on Friday, September 4.
Melania Trump keeps a limited political schedule
Melania Trump has generally maintained a lower political profile than her husband, appearing only sporadically at campaign and party events, the report said.
During Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, she was largely absent from the campaign trail and made a rare appearance on the final night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
She did not address delegates.
Since returning to the White House, the first lady has continued a relatively limited public schedule while taking part in select official events and promoting initiatives of her own, as per the report.
Her absence comes as Trump prepares to headline the Republican gathering on both Wednesday and Thursday in Dallas.
Vice President JD Vance and other Republican leaders are also scheduled to participate.
Trump previously promised that the September convention would be "historic." Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters has called the event "Trumpapalooza."
Some Republicans are weighing attendance
The convention is also drawing questions over whether Republican candidates in competitive races will attend, according to Politico.
Of 28 Republican candidates contacted by Politico, only two provided on-the-record responses.
The group included gubernatorial candidates, senators, members of Congress and challengers in contested races.
Some Republican lawmakers and candidates are expected to stay home, particularly those locked in competitive races.
Vance said Thursday that he was not concerned about attendance.
"When you're running a congressional race, especially in a very tight race, you have so many things that are local that you're focused on," Vance said.
He cited fundraising, staffing and meeting voters among candidates' priorities.
The RNC says Trump remains an asset
The RNC has defended the idea behind the gathering, arguing that Republicans benefit from appearing alongside Trump.
"You're not seeing Republicans shy away from Trump in the same way you saw maybe in 2018 and you're seeing a lot more partnership with the White House and political team," an RNC official said, speaking anonymously about the committee's thinking, Politico reported.
The official added that even candidates who do not attend would need Trump to turn out the party's base.
The event also presents a broader political challenge because its coverage could dominate attention during the midterm campaign, Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett said.
"The one thing it probably will do is dominate news coverage, and that is both on a national level," Bartlett said, adding that it could make it difficult for candidates to articulate their own messages while the convention is taking place.
So far, Trump and the RNC have said little about the convention beyond its date and location, while an RNC spokesperson said state parties are responsible for sending invitations, the outlet reported.
