Melania's absence from Trump's side under heightened scrutiny as Jill continues to 'hold up' Joe Biden
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Since the electrifying night of the 2016 election, Melania Trump's presence alongside her husband, Donald Trump, has been a subject of curiosity and speculation.
Reports suggest that Melania, initially reluctant about Trump's presidential ambitions, found herself thrust into the spotlight she never sought. From tearful Election Night moments to navigating through a role she did not foresee, Melania has carved out a unique path as a semi-detached first lady.
(Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Golf Digest)
Melania never wanted Donald Trump to run for the presidency
As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, Melania's absence from her husband's side has become increasingly conspicuous. Unlike Jill Biden, who continues to play a pivotal role in bolstering Joe Biden's campaign amid challenges, the former first lady has largely remained out of the public eye even before Trump's conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case.
The 45th President was found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records related to a scheme aimed at illegally influencing the 2016 presidential election.
Melania's absence during Trump's trial was striking enough to prompt heckling from spectators outside the court, echoing past elections where flyers humorously asked, "Have you seen this woman?" She was notably absent on Super Tuesday in March, a crucial night in Trump's campaign, despite the event being held at his Mar-a-Lago resort, where Melania typically resides.
Throughout Trump's first term and into his bid for reelection, Melania's retreat from the forefront of political life has been notable. Despite occasional appearances, such as voting alongside her husband or hosting select events, Melania has largely opted for a quieter existence away from the relentless scrutiny of the media spotlight.
Joe Biden takes a dig at Donald Trump over his alleged affair
According to Stephanie Grisham, who served as chief of staff and press secretary to the former first lady, Melania has never embraced the role of a traditional supportive spouse. "Melania has said, "I don't need to stand by Donald like Jill Biden; it is like she's holding Joe Biden up'," Grisham noted in March.
Despite Melania's minimal presence, she was brought up during a particularly uncomfortable moment when Biden landed a significant blow on Trump during a recent televised debate. "You had sex with a porn star while your wife was pregnant," alluding to Trump's alleged affair with Daniels, adding, "You have the morals of an alley cat."
While the latter accusation may hold some truth, Biden's timing was a bit off, given that Trump's alleged infidelity occurred four months after Melania gave birth to their son Barron, mentions Tom Leonard in his column for Daily Mail.
Will Melania support Donald Trump during his sentencing?
Will she appear in the New York court for Trump's Stormy Daniels sentencing, now postponed to September, ready to supportively grip his arm or even put an arm around him, despite their usual avoidance of public displays of affection? One might think this is an event she wouldn’t miss, but Trump watchers advise not to hold your breath. According to the New York Times, Melania has privately referred to the Daniels scandal as "his problem."
Like the rest of the Trump family, the former first lady is very mindful of her public image. Insiders such as Stephanie Grisham suggest that she avoided the trial primarily to manage her own optics. First lady expert Kate Andersen Brower mentioned to Axios that she thinks Melania is "distancing herself even more from her husband and from the Washington social-political scene." Mary Jordan, the author of a biography on Melania, noted that her absence makes her "'stand out in history from any other first lady'.
"[She] has made a deal with her husband that if he wins the presidency, she will not have to fulfill first lady duties 24/7," a source said. Considering that she was rarely "24/7" during Trump's first term, often spending considerable time at her parents' home in the DC suburbs, it seems likely she may not even be present to handle the state dinner decorations, which was reportedly her most cherished duty at the White House.
Instead, the insider claimed, she wants to focus on Barron. "She's a hands-on mother and is already planning to spend part of every month – and potentially every week – in NYC," if Barron chooses to attend New York University.
