'So, baby, how good was that?' Trump reveals what he asks his 'toughest critic' Melania after his rallies and the time she mocked him because he 'couldn't find his way off the stage'

Donald Trump revealed the exchange he has with his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, after his rallies.  

'When I call up our First Lady, I say "so baby, how good was that?"' he told the CPAC 2024 conference on Saturday. 

'She goes "you were okay", she's a very tough critic' he joked. 

Melania returned to public life with a smile last week, waving and greeting guests from Donald Trump's side during a black-tie gala at Mar-a-Lago, her first major event since her mother died last month.

Her presence at The Trumpettes, a ball held in the former president's honor, was notable. 

Donald Trump revealed the exchange he has with his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump , after his rallies

Melania returned to public life with a smile last week, waving and greeting guests from Donald Trump's side during a black-tie gala at Mar-a-Lago

The former first lady has been absent from her husband's side as he wages his multiple legal battles and campaigns for a second term in the White House.

One guest described her in 'good spirits' and close to Trump throughout the night. 

Pictures and video posted to social media show dressed in a fashionable black pantsuit, smiling broadly.

Trump was visibly happy to see her there. But what remains unclear if she will give him a boost in other areas of his life, notably the and his numerous court cases.

The former first lady is popular among the MAGA faithful. The crowd cheers loudly whenever Trump mentions her name during one of his campaign rallies. 

She has never spoken publicly about the events of the January 6th insurrection - she was in the White House that day - or Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Neither Melania Trump's spokesperson nor the Trump campaigned responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

While it would be unlikely for Melania to appear by Donald's side in the courtroom - reports indicate she sees his legal issues as his problem and not hers - if Trump wins a second term in the White House, she would return as first lady.

Donald Trump gives wife Melania Trump a kiss during the Trumpette Gala at Mar-a-Lago

Delia Hickman, Kimberly Guilfoyle and Tiffany Trump at the gala

Melania spent most of her previous time in the White House focused on her son. She helped maintain the stately home and did a few events related to her causes but, for the most part, was a publicly silent first lady.

At the Trumpettes kept an eye on her as he walked through the cheering crowd, often turning his head to make sure she was nearby

And the couple, who just celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, gave a rare public display of affection.

Trump gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he addressed the crowd, calling her the country's 'great first lady.' Guests described him as attentive to her.

'She seemed quiet but in very good spirits. She was smiling the whole time,' Delia Hickman, the creater of the 'Momma Loves Fashion' blog, told DailyMail.com after she attended the gala.

'What I noticed in particular was that although everyone was waiting for Trump to make his grand entrance, when he walked in and waved at everyone, he made sure to turn to her and acknowledge that she was there!

Donald Trump sent a Valentine's letter to Melania as a fundraising email

Melania Trump was at Donald Trump's side when he announced a second White House bid in November - and hasn't been on the campaign trail since

'After he made his way to the podium, she was there standing by the stage the whole time, smiling. She waved and said hello to everyone that was close enough to reach out to her. She was all smiles. There was a look of great sense of peace on her face,' Hickman noted.

On Valentine’s Day, Trump sent a special fundraising message to his followers, written as a love letter to Melania.

‘Hi, this is a Valentine’s Day letter to my beautiful wife, Melania!,’ it starts.

‘Dear Melania, I LOVE YOU!’

He then thanks her for his support: ‘Even after every single INDICTMENT, ARREST, and WITCH HUNT, you never left my side. You’ve always supported me through everything. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without your guidance, kindness, and warmth.’

He closed out by signing his full name: ‘You will always mean the world to me, Melania! From your husband with love, Donald J. Trump.’