Melania Trump makes rare appearance at Republican National Convention

The former first lady, who has remained private since 2022, received a standing ovation at her first campaign appearance. See the pictures.

Melania Trump has entered the stadium, waving to the crowd as she walked to her seat in the VIP section.

She had decided against speaking at the convention, having done so during her husband’s previous presidential runs in 2016 and 2020.

Mrs Trump has rarely been seen in public with the former president since he announced his re-election effort in November 2022, including avoiding his repeated appearances in court to face four sets of criminal charges.

She has instead focused her attention on 18-year-old son Barron, who recently graduated from high school and is about to go to university.

Donald Trump kisses former first lady Melania Trump after officially accepting the Republican presidential nomination on stage. Picture: Getty

Donald Trump with his children Ivana and Tiffany Trump. Picture: AFP

At this week’s convention in Milwaukee, the Trump family has been represented on stage by his daughter-in-law Lara – the co-chair of the Republican National Committee – and his sons Eric and Donald Jr, as well as Donald Jr’s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and his 17-year-old daughter Kai.

“We are all family who supports Donald Trump 100 per cent,” Lara said.

Former first lady Melania Trump arrives on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention. Picture: AFP

“Anyone who is not fully out front, no one should ever assume that that means that they are any less supportive.”

Trump’s daughters Ivanka and Tiffany are also due to watch from the sidelines at the convention when he accepts the nomination.

Former US First Lady Melania Trump receives a standing ovation. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump signs a document officially accepting the Republican presidential nomination as his family including wife Melania look on. Picture: AFP

Why has she been so low key during the election campaign?

Much has also been made about Mrs Trump’s absence at campaign rallies in recent months and at the recent presidential debate, as well as during her husband’s court appearances.

Her absence has sparked the hashtag ‘Where’s Melania?’ on social media.

In May the former president was convicted of 34 counts of falsification of business records in relation to covering up reimbursements for a “hush money” payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, while running for office in 2016.

Mr Trump was alleged to have had sex with Daniels when his wife was pregnant. He denies the claims and is appealing the convictions, but the details of the alleged encounter in the run up to the convention will have once again been embassraing for his wife.

Lara Trump speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. Picture: AFP

WHAT ROLE HAS HIS SONS DONALD Jr AND ERIC PLAYED IN THE CONVENTION?

Both the sons have been front and centre at the convention; cheering, clapping and giving interviews. Donald Jr has been very enthusiastic about the new vice president and friend JD Vance. Political watchers have predicted he might be eyeing the 2028 VP spot, with Mr Vance as president.

What is Lara Trump’s role with the Republicans?

Lara, who gave an emotional speech at the convention referring to the rally shooting on Saturday, is a Louboutin wearing blonde New Yorker, was appointed RNC co-chair in March unopposed.

The role carries no real authority, but she has played a significant role in helping to raise more than $280 million for the party kitty since joining.

She is also behind the RNC’s effort to “Protect the Vote” by recruiting 100,000 volunteers to monitor the November elections to prevent a “repeat of 2020”.

Her profile has been boosted following headline speeches at various state conventions.

Mr Trump has praised his daughter-in-law as “upwardly mobile” and “head of the Republican Party.”

Will Ivanka attend the convention?

Previously, his daughter Ivanka, 42, was Mr Trump’s go-to wingwoman. She played a very visible role during her father’s first term in the White House.

While she is believed to be attending on Thursday with husband Jared Kushner, to watch the former president accept the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, she will not have any official role at the convention. In 2016, she introduced him.

Previously, Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, 42, was his go-to wingwoman. Picture: AFP

Why is Ivanka not a main player in Trump’s election battle this time round?

After her father lost the 2020 election, she pulled back from politics and left New York, for the sake of her three children.

In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Ivanka admitted that politics is a “rough, rough business”.

“It was a decision rooted in me being a parent, really thinking about what they need from me now,” she said. “Politics is a rough, rough business, and I think it’s one that you also can’t dabble in. I think you have to either be all in or all out.”