On the opening night of the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 15, Melania Trump, the former First Lady, was conspicuously missing. As ex-President Donald Trump walked in to loud applause and sat with family members including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, Melania Trump’s presence was noticeably missing. Ivanka Trump, another key figure in previous campaigns, was also not present.
The absence of the former first lady represents a significant break from tradition. Republican presidential nominees’ spouses typically make speeches at the convention, a tradition that Melania Trump had followed in 2016 and 2020. Her decision to forgo a speech this time around has led to conjecture about her role and involvement in her husband’s campaign.
A report from The Washington Post suggested that Melania Trump’s absence was part of a wider pattern of her withdrawing from political events. She has largely been absent from her husband’s court appearances, fundraisers, and campaign rallies since leaving the White House.
Despite her initial absence, The Associated Press confirmed that Melania Trump was set to attend the convention on Thursday, July 18, and she finally made her entrance a short time after 10:00 pm. She was not among the keynote speakers.
Melania Trump has had a limited public presence this year, not attending the former president’s Super Tuesday victory party or his 78th birthday celebration. She was also not present at his New York hush money trial, where he faced a series of legal challenges.
While Melania Trump’s decision to miss the opening night and not deliver a speech is out of the ordinary, it is not entirely unexpected. The former first lady has always maintained a more private role than other political spouses, and her absence from the speaker list subverts the historical pattern of presidential spouses addressing the convention.
The trend of maintaining a low profile is not limited to Melania Trump alone. Ivanka Trump, who was actively involved in her father’s previous political campaigns, has also withdrawn from the political scene. She announced that she would support her father from outside the political sphere and is not scheduled to speak at the convention.
Despite her limited public appearances, Melania Trump has not completely withdrawn from public life. Following an assassination attempt on her husband at a rally in Pennsylvania, she issued a rare and comprehensive statement where she expressed sympathy for the victims and commended those who helped to bridge the political divide during the incident.
