Today Melania, 53, will appear at a LGBTQ+ conservative fundraiser at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. It will be her first appearance at a political event since Trump launched his bid to regain the presidency - an absence that has been a potentially worrying sign for Trump in a country that traditionally prizes political candidates with loyal spouses and wholesome families.
It comes at the end of a week that saw the 77-year-old become the first former US president in history to stand criminal trial. The case, involving a hush money payment by Trump to an adult film performer, would be enough to test any marriage. Yet it seems the former and possibly future first lady is again prepared to campaign for her husband-up to a point.
"It's not going to be in volume but you'll see her at key moments," said Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump. "She likes to heighten the interest in her appearances [...] She's hyper-aware of her persona." The former Slovenian model, who married Trump in 2005, became only the second foreign-born first lady in US history. She delayed moving to the White House and in one incident was seen swatting his hand away, but came to love the trappings and prestige of being first lady.
This story is from the April 20, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the April 20, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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