Melania Trump was finally back on the campaign trail — if only for a few hours.
The crowd erupted into cheers when he entered the arena where the Republican National Convention was held in July. She wore a bright red Christian Dior skirt suit as she waved to Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters.
For most attendees, it was likely the first time they had seen Melania Trump in months.
After her husband lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, Melania Trump withdrew from the public eye. She has largely stayed out of Donald Trump’s public endeavors, including most of his current re-election campaign.
His absence was felt during the former president’s conversation with Biden this June and when he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania in mid-July.
Donald Trump acknowledged questions about Melania Trump’s whereabouts in an interview on Meet the Press in September 2023, saying, “She’s a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. She’s going to be… in due time — she’s going to be there.”
A source close to the former president told CNN in March that Melania Trump is “very selective and methodical in what she wants to do and how she presents herself.”
Although Melania Trump has taken behind the scenes of her husband’s campaign, she has been spotted at other public events and at Trump family properties.
Here’s a look at what he’s been up to.
November 2022: Melania Trump performs at the Mar-a-Lago Club as Donald Trump announces his 2024 presidential bid.
Melania Trump appeared on stage alongside her husband at an event at the Mar-a-Lago Club where she announced her third bid for the White House.
Although Donald Trump spoke virtually at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual leadership meeting three days later, Melania Trump stayed out of the public eye for another month.
December 2022: He returned to the Mar-a-Lago Club to host a New Year’s Eve party.
Melania Trump posed for photos a month later at a New Year’s Eve party at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
Donald Trump held a brief pre-party press conference during which he dodged questions about the national abortion ban and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
June 2023: Photographers in New York spotted Melania Trump outside Trump Tower.
Although Donald Trump continued to make public appearances after the New Year’s Eve party — including his first 2024 campaign rally — Melania remained unavailable until June, six months later.
Photographers spotted her outside Trump Tower in New York City, where Donald Trump was embroiled in a money-laundering spree with Stormy Daniels.
Melania Trump avoided the circus surrounding the trial, but her absence made headlines.
November 2023: Melania Trump attended Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service.
Five months later, Melania Trump traveled to Georgia to attend a memorial service for Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, who died that month.
The guest list included other former first ladies such as Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.
December 2023: Melania Trump gave a rare speech at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Although Melania Trump has given speeches in the past, including the controversial 2016 Republican National Convention address, she doesn’t often take the podium.
However, Melania Trump addressed new US citizens at the naturalization ceremony and said she navigated the “maze” of paperwork trying to get a work visa early in her modeling career.
“I remember feeling a tremendous sense of pride and togetherness after reading the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance because the road to citizenship is hard,” she said.
January 2024: Members of the Trump family attend the funeral of Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs.
Donald Trump followed his wife his mother’s funeral January in Palm Beach, Florida. Melania’s father Viktor Knavs and the couple’s son Barron Trump were also present.
The Associated Press said Melania spoke about her mother during the service, saying she was “a ray of light in the darkest of days.”
March 2024: Melania Trump told reporters to stay tuned while visiting a polling place in Palm Beach.
Melania Trump’s public schedule slowly began to pick up this year.
The Palm Beach Post reported that she joined Donald Trump at a gala hosted by one of his fan clubs, the Trumpettes, in February. No official photos of the event were released, but far-right activist Laura Loomer shared a video shows Melania Trump at the event.
He made his second public appearance in March when Donald Trump visited a polling place in Palm Beach. When reporters asked him about a possible return to the campaign trail, he said, “Stay tuned.”
March 2024: Donald Trump accepted the golf award at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
Later that month, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he won two golf “club championships” at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Melania Trump attended the award ceremony with her husband.
April 2024: Donald and Melania Trump appeared at a fundraiser in Palm Beach.
Melania Trump accompanied her husband to a fundraiser hosted by billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson the following month. According to Donald Trump’s campaign, the event raised more than $50 million.
Outlets reported that Melania Trump also attended a Log Cabin Republican fundraiser in April. MeidasTouch Network Editor-in-Chief Ron Filipkowski shared material About Melania Trump at the event.
May 2024: Melania Trump sat in coach after Barron graduated from high school.
Donald Trump was in the middle of his quiet money trial when Barron Trump graduated from high school in May. She, Melania Trump and Barron’s grandfather attended the event in Palm Beach.
June 2024: Photographers spotted Melania again outside Trump Tower in New York.
Photographers spotted Melania Trump leaving Trump Tower in New York in June. He will appear at the Republican National Convention five weeks later.
July 2024: Melania appeared at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Speculation about Melania Trump’s appearance at this year’s Republican National Convention intensified after she missed the first three days.
He finally arrived to thunderous applause on the fourth day of the convention. He sat in the VIP box next to Donald Trump’s Vice President JD Vance.
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