In a rare public appearance since Donald Trump’s conviction over hush money payments, Melania Trump and her son, Barron, were seen leaving Trump Tower in New York City on Tuesday, June 4. The former First Lady and her 18-year-old son carried an array of luxury luggage, marking a visible end to their recent seclusion.
Melania opted for a monochromatic ensemble, donning a brown wool Max Mara jumpsuit priced at $1,345 and an ostrich Hermès Kelly bag, which sells for between $15,000 and $17,000 on the resale market. She complemented her outfit with buckled Roger Vivier ballet flats worth $875. Barron, towering and composed, matched his mother’s polished appearance in a sharp blue suit paired with black dress shoes, opting for a more relaxed look by foregoing a tie.
The flurry of activity around them included staff members loading several pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage and garment bags—embroidered with Barron’s initials—into a waiting SUV. The destination was Bedminster, New Jersey, where the family owns a sprawling estate that serves as their “safe haven.”
This outing marks Melania’s first public sighting in nearly two weeks, a period during which her husband, the 45th president, faced a historic legal battle. Donald Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Reflecting on the trial, Donald Trump said that the verdict had been particularly challenging for his wife and son. “I think in many ways it’s tougher on them than it is on me,” he remarked post-trial.
Adding to the family’s eventful month, Barron celebrated his graduation from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. The ceremony was notably attended by his father, who was granted special permission to attend by trial Judge Juan Merchan.
The Trump family dynamics also appear to be shifting amid these legal battles. According to a source close to the family, the case has “brought the entire family closer together than they have ever been.” This includes an improvement in the previously strained relationship between Melania and her stepdaughter Ivanka, highlighting a “thaw” that suggests a strengthening of familial bonds during this crisis.
Despite her high-profile status, Melania has maintained a relatively low profile. Her selective public appearances, including at her son’s graduation, illustrate a deliberate approach to public engagement during the trial.