Former First Lady Melania Trump was notably absent from the opening night of the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday, July 15. While former President Donald Trump made a grand entrance to raucous applause and took his seat with family members, including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, Melania Trump was nowhere to be seen. Ivanka Trump was also absent from the event.
The former first lady’s absence marked a significant departure from tradition. Typically, the spouses of Republican presidential nominees deliver remarks at the convention, a tradition Melania Trump upheld in 2016 and 2020. However, her decision to refrain from delivering a speech this year has left many speculating about her role and presence in her husband’s campaign.
According to a report from The Washington Post, Melania Trump’s absence is part of a broader trend of her stepping back from political events. Since leaving the White House, she has skipped most of her husband’s court proceedings, fundraisers, and campaign rallies.
Despite her absence from the opening night, The Associated Press confirmed that Melania Trump was scheduled to attend the convention on the final night. However, she is not listed among the keynote speakers.
Melania Trump has shown minimal public presence this year. She did not accompany the former president to his Super Tuesday victory party or 78th birthday celebration. Furthermore, she was absent from his hush money trial in New York, where he faced numerous legal challenges.
While Melania Trump’s decision to skip the opening night and not deliver a speech is unusual, it is not entirely surprising. The former first lady has always maintained a more reserved role than other political spouses. Her absence from the speaker list defies the historical trend of presidential spouses addressing the convention.
Melania Trump’s low profile extends to other family members as well. Ivanka Trump, who played a significant role in her father’s previous campaigns, has also stepped back from the political arena. She announced that she would support her father outside of politics and was not listed as a speaker at the convention.
Despite her limited public appearances, Melania Trump has not been completely absent from public life. She released a rare and lengthy statement following an assassination attempt on her husband at a rally in Pennsylvania. She sympathized with the victims and thanked those who helped bridge the political divide during the incident.
On the last night of the convention, Thursday, Melania made her appearance, to the relief of many.