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Melania Trump, 54, steps back into the limelight at RNC after difficult year that saw the death of her mother, her husband in court and nearly assassinated, and Baron leave for college - but could not be persuaded into speaking
Donald Trump's address at the Republican National Congress in Milwaukee last night just days after he survived an attempt on his life sent the adoring crowd into raptures.
But the unexpected return of his wife Melania Trump to the limelight was arguably the biggest talking point of the night.
The former First Lady, 54, strode onto the stage sporting a striking red dress to thunderous applause and wild cheers prior to Trump's speech, after which she greeted her husband with an awkward kiss as balloons cascaded from the ceiling.
Melania until last night had practically vanished from public life and the media, refusing to accompany her husband on the campaign trail and remaining absent even through his court battles in New York over the Stormy Daniels hush money payments.
Amid a difficult period that saw the death of her mother in January, followed by Trump's legal strife and now the imminent departure of son Barron for college, many speculated that the former president had lost the support of his wife.
But Trump's brush with death in Pennsylvania last weekend seems to have prompted Melania's return to the fore as the Republican nominee pushes for a second term in the White House.
Republican Presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania Trump after speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 18, 2024
Former first lady Melania Trump walks out to join Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump stands on stage with former first lady Melania Trump and family members during the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee
July 18, 2024, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: MELANIA TRUMP joins her husband DONALD J. TRUMP on stage after his acceptance speech at the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee
Trump signs paperwork to officially accept the nomination during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, stands on stage with Melania Trump after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee
Daughter of former US President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband former US government official Jared Kushner arrive for the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention
The former First Lady declined to speak at yesterday's RNC in Milwaukee despite Trump and many members of his campaign staff urging her to do so, according to sources cited by CNN's Kaitlin Collins.
But many commentators agreed that her presence alone was hugely significant, signalling an end to her total absence on the campaign trail that had undoubtedly harmed Trump's bid for the presidency.
Though she'd still made a few notable public appearances of her own accord for various initiatives, Melania had not appeared alongside her husband since he announced his intention to run for office again almost two years ago.
Her behaviour was a stark contrast to that of her counterpart Jill Biden, who is seemingly hellbent on appearing to stand by her struggling husband's side at every public event, speech and rally.
Melania is yet to comment on her decision to shelter away from the public's gaze, but Trump's wife has experienced a particularly turbulent period in her personal life as of late.
In January, she revealed her mother had died aged 78 - the same age her husband is now - after a long period of illness.
'It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija,' she said in a public statement at the time.
'Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy.
Melania missed most of the Christmas and New Year celebrations at Mar-a-Lago to care for her ailing mother prior to her death.
Former First Lady Melania Trump 's mother Amalija Knavs, 78, has died after being hospitalized in Miami, Florida, over the holidays. She is pictured center with her daughter and Donald Trump in 2018
Knavs is pictured with her daughter Melania in 2004
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump arrive to vote in the Florida primary election in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while he walks with his son Eric Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche
Balloons drop as former US President Donald Trump, center left, former First Lady Melania Trump, center right, and their family stand on stage during the Republican National Convention
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is helped off the stage after narrowly avoiding an assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13, 2024
Melania continued her absence from Trump's public appearances throughout the year, and refused to attend any of her embattled husband's court hearings in connection with his trial over hush money payments made to pornstar Stormy Daniels.
Over the course of almost two months of hearings, a series of Republican lawmakers, former administration officials, vice presidential hopefuls and even a few of his own kids were spotted lending their support in the New York courthouse.
They sat through hours of salacious testimony as the ex-president stood trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records - charges on which he was ultimately convicted.
But Melania remained far away from the courtroom, opting to stay at the Trump residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
The move was seen by many as damaging for Trump's defence, with legal experts telling DailyMail.com that it is often beneficial for a jury to see defendants with their spouse by their side in the courthouse.
'Generally speaking, jurors pay attention to who is seated in the courtroom,' explained Anna Cominsky, Managing Attorney of New York Law School Legal Services.
'Defense attorneys usually like to have ''support'' for their client evidenced by friends and family - it's something that humanizes the client.
'That said, this is a very different case. The jurors know that this is the former president.'
In the aftermath of Trump's guilty verdict, Daniels - who alleged she had an affair with the billionaire just a year after he married Melania - said his wife 'needs to leave him' because 'it's been proven he is abusive' and he 'is now a criminal'.
Trump himself admitted in an interview on Fox & Friends that his trial was 'very hard' on Melania.
Balloons fall after Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, stands on stage with Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024
Melania Trump with former President Trump as they arrive at a GOP fundraiser in Palm Beach, FL on April 6 just over a week before the hush money trial began in New York
Ex-president Trump seated in the Manhattan criminal courtroom on May 21 as he stands trial on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records
Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves after addressing members of the media following the verdict in his hush-money trial at Trump Tower
Melania remained absent throughout Donald Trump's hush money trial in which he was convicted of campaign fraud over payments to porn star Stormy Daniels (pictured)
If Trump wins the White House again in November, it has been reported that Melania will not live in Washington D.C full-time and will instead join her son Barron (pictured) in New York
Though Melania had not stood by her husband's side amid the Stormy Daniels courtroom saga, the former first lady was at least spotted alongside her husband elsewhere.
The two were seen sat side-by-side at their son Barron's high school graduation in May, and were snapped smiling and clapping as his name was called.
His imminent departure for college is said to be a point of particular stress, according to sources close to the family.
'Barron goes to school this summer, so it's a difficult time for parents to go from having your child around all the time to leaving the nest,' former US Ambassador Ric Grenell said at a Bloomberg event on Monday.
But commentators have pointed out that Melania has never exhibited any great interest in politicking.
While she has undoubtedly exhibited a greater degree of support for Trump in previous years, the former First Lady has been characterised as a 'very private person' who is fiercely independent and is loathe to spend time in Washington.
'She's distancing herself even more from the Washington social-political scene,' Kate Andersen Brower, who's written several books on first ladies, told Axios.
'I mean, she clearly hated being in Washington.'
'Melania does what Melania wants,' said Washington Post associate editor Mary Jordan, who has written a book about the former First Lady.
People close to the family say the attempt on her husband's life may have triggered a change of heart that encouraged Melania to turn out in support of Trump once again.
But it remains to be seen whether last night's monumental appearance was any more than a one-off.
'I think she's shaken,' said former Ambassador Grenell.
'Watching her husband almost be assassinated? I think it really shook her.'