Melania Trump has remained out of the public eye since the attempted assassination of her husband, Donald Trump, at a rally in Pennsylvania. Her absence has been notable at the Republican National Convention (RNC), where other members of the Trump family have been present. Speculation about her whereabouts has been everywhere, but recent updates indicate she may appear at the convention before it ends.
On Wednesday, July 17, Eric Trump announced that Melania and his sister Ivanka Trump are scheduled to attend the RNC on Thursday, July 18. Eric assured Melania and Ivanka would be present "in full force and effect." He emphasized that the entire Trump family remains united and supports Donald Trump.
"Ivanka has been an incredible supporter of my father. She was in the White House for four years and loves him dearly," Eric told CBS Mornings.
Calls for Melania's RNC Appearance
Throughout Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, both Melania and Ivanka have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Melania’s prolonged absence, especially after the assassination attempt, has raised many eyebrows. While several Trump family members, including Eric and his wife Lara, Donald Trump Jr. and fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Tiffany Trump with husband Michael Boulos, have made appearances at the RNC, Melania has remained absent. Barron Trump has also not attended the event.
There has been significant public demand for Melania to speak at the convention. Libertarian political commentator Kennedy, writing for the Daily Mail, criticized those lacking sympathy for Trump following the assassination attempt and those spreading conspiracy theories.
Regarding Melania, Kennedy wrote, “As first lady, she intentionally avoided political conflicts, keeping a low profile during the campaign and in the White House. According to her husband, she 'hates' political life – and who wouldn't?” Kennedy condemned critics who attacked Melania for not engaging more politically, saying they took every chance to criticize her, from Christmas decorations to alleged marital issues. She added that some of the harshest critics even spread false rumors about her son, Barron.
Expressing anticipation for Melania’s appearance, Kennedy stated, “I, for one, am looking forward to a possible Melania runaway appearance at the RNC on Thursday night – because if she speaks, it will be one of the only sane voices I've heard in some time.”
What Happens at the RNC and How Does It Work?
The RNC gathered approximately 2,400 delegates from across the United States to officially nominate Donald Trump as the party’s candidate through a roll call vote. Each state announces the number of delegates they allocate to each candidate, following specific state party rules.
Typically, the candidate’s home state delegation, in Trump’s case, Florida, will secure the nomination. However, this vote is largely ceremonial, as Trump clinched the nomination in March with 1,215 delegates and ultimately amassed 2,243 delegates by the end of the primary process, as reported by CBS News.
On Thursday night, Trump is expected to officially accept the nomination for the third time since 2016. Alongside the nomination process, the Republican Party will adopt a new platform, proposing a softened stance on abortion, and advocating for state-level decision-making on the issue. The platform also includes proposals for a missile defence shield over the U.S., tax cuts, and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
As the RNC unfolds, all eyes are on whether Melania Trump will make her anticipated appearance, adding another layer of intrigue to an already eventful convention.
