Melania Trump finally returned to the campaign trail — if only for a few hours.
The crowd erupted into cheers when she entered the arena where the Republican National Convention took place in July. She wore a bright red Christian Dior skirt suit and waved at Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters.
For most attendees, it was likely their first time seeing Melania Trump in months.
After her husband lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 race, Melania Trump retreated from the public eye. She has remained largely absent from Donald Trump’s public endeavors, including most of his current reelection campaign.
Her absence was felt during the former president’s debate 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 a September 2023 interview with Meet the Press, saying, “She’s a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. She’ll be — at the appropriate time — she’ll be out 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.”
While Melania Trump has taken a behind-the-scenes approach to her husband’s campaign, she’s been spotted at other public events and around Trump family properties.
Here’s a look at what she’s been up to.
November 2022: Melania Trump appears at the Mar-a-Lago Club when Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid
Melania Trump appeared onstage beside her husband during an event at the Mar-a-Lago Club, where he announced his third bid for the White House.
Although Donald Trump spoke virtually at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting three days later, Melania Trump remained out of the public eye for another month.
December 2022: She returned to the Mar-a-Lago Club to host a New Year’s Eve party
Melania Trump posed for photographs one month later during a New Year’s Eve party at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
Donald Trump held a brief press conference before the party, during which he dodged questions about a national abortion ban and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
June 2023: Photographers in New York City spotted Melania Trump outside Trump Tower
While Donald Trump continued to make public appearances after the New Year’s Eve party — including his first 2024 campaign rally — Melania remained elusive until June, six months later.
Photographers spotted her outside Trump Tower in New York City, where Donald Trump became embroiled in a hush-money trail involving Stormy Daniels.
Melania Trump steered clear of the circus surrounding the trial, but her absence made headlines.
November 2023: Melania Trump attended Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service
Five months later, Melania Trump traveled to Georgia to attend a tribute service for Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, who died that month.
The guest list included other former first ladies, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.
December 2023: Melania Trump made a rare speech at the National Archives in Washington, DC
Although Melania Trump has given speeches in the past, including her controversial 2016 Republican National Convention address, she doesn’t often take the podium.
However, Melania Trump spoke to new US citizens at a naturalization ceremony, saying she navigated a “labyrinth” of paperwork while trying to obtain a work visa early in her modeling career.
“I recall feeling a tremendous sense of pride and belonging after I recited the US oath of allegiance, as the pathway to citizenship is arduous,” she said.
January 2024: Members of the Trump family attend the funeral of Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs
Donald Trump accompanied his wife to her mother’s funeral in Palm Beach, Florida, in January. Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, and the couple’s son, Barron Trump, also attended.
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 site in Palm Beach
Melania Trump’s public-facing schedule began slowly ramping 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. Official photos of the event were not published, but far-right activist Laura Loomer shared a video showing Melania Trump at the event.
She made another public appearance in March when Donald Trump visited a polling site in Palm Beach. When reporters asked her about a potential return to the campaign trail, she said, “Stay tuned.”
March 2024: Donald Trump accepted a golf award at Trump International Golf Club in Florida
Later that month, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he won two golf “club championship” trophies at the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach.
Melania Trump attended the awards ceremony with her husband.
April 2024: Donald and Melania Trump appeared at a fundraising event in Palm Beach
Melania Trump accompanied her husband to a fundraising event the following month, which was hosted at the home of John Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund manager. Donald Trump’s campaign said the event raised more than $50 million.
Outlets reported that Melania Trump also attended a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans in April. MeidasTouch Network editor in chief, Ron Filipkowski, shared footage of Melania Trump at the event.
May 2024: Melania Trump sat in the bleachers when Barron graduated high school
Donald Trump was in the midst of his hush-money trial when Barron Trump graduated from high school in May. He, Melania Trump, and Barron’s grandfather attended the event in Palm Beach.
June 2024: Photographers spotted Melania outside Trump Tower in New York City again
Photographers saw Melania Trump leave Trump Tower in New York City in June. She would appear at the Republican National Convention five weeks later.
July 2024: Melania appeared at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin
Speculation about whether Melania Trump would appear at this year’s Republican National Convention spiked after she skipped the first three days.
She finally arrived to thunderous applause on the fourth day of the convention. She sat in the VIP box next to Donald Trump’s pick for vice president, JD Vance.
September 2024: Melania appeared in her first interview in over two years
Melania Trump made a rare appearance on “Fox & Friends” in September, her first media interview in over two years. She discussed several topics, including her relationship with Donald Trump, the attempts on his life, and how she prepared for her role as First Lady of the United States.
The interview comes as Melania Trump promotes here eponymous memoir, which will hit shelves on October 8.
October 2024: Melania attended the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
Melania Trump accompanied Donald Trump to the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City on Thursday.
The Archbishop of New York hosted the charity event, while comedian Jim Gaffigan acted as the dinner’s emcee. Donald Trump appeared as a featured speaker and used the opportunity to criticize members of the Democratic party, including Vice President Kamala Harris.
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