Melania Trump was seen in public for the first time since skipping the first presidential debate, entering Trump Tower in New York City on Monday.
The former first lady wore green skinny pants, a black jacket and black flat shoes. She was wearing sunglasses and carrying a large black Louis Vuitton bag.
Aides loaded piles of Louis Vuitton luggage onto carts to take it to Trump’s New York City residence.
He was notably absent, without explanation, from last week’s debate, where Joe Biden struggled to get answers. Jill Biden was there and joined her husband on stage at the conclusion of the debate.
Donald Trump left the debate stage alone.
Melania Trump was seen in public for the first time since skipping the debate
It’s unclear where Melania Trump has spent her summer. The Trump family often moves to Bedminister, New Jersey, where they have homes at Donald Trump’s private golf club.
But the former president was preparing for the debate from Mar-a-Lago, his home in Palm Beach.
Melania’s absence from the debate was a notable break with tradition.
He attended all the debates in the 2016 and 2020 electoral cycles.
“Families began attending debates regularly in 1976 and it would be quite shocking for a candidate’s wife to break that tradition,” said presidential historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky.
Her absence comes after reports that she may not live in Washington DC full time if her husband wins a second term in the White House.
Those close to the former first lady believe she will likely split her time between Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City, especially with Barron, 18, who plans to attend New University York.
Instead, Melania would only travel to Washington, DC for ceremonial responsibilities such as state dinners and other special events.
His office did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com about the report.
Public sightings of Melania are rare, particularly when it comes to Donald Trump’s bid to win a second term in the White House.
Melania Trump was seen entering Trump Tower in New York
She was carrying a black Louis Vuitton bag.
Seven months into 2024, she still has not appeared at her husband’s campaign rally. She did not appear at Donald Trump’s June 14 birthday party hosted by his fan club.
Melania Trump has rarely shown public support for her husband as he seeks a second term in the White House.
She joined Trump when he announced his 2024 presidential bid in November last year. But otherwise she only appeared at a fundraiser for his campaign and went to vote with her husband in the Florida primary.
“Stay tuned,” he told reporters when asked if he would campaign for Trump.
But it is not clear what he meant by that.
Melania Trump’s former friend turned critic Stephanie Winston Wolkoff said the former first lady has “not been at her husband’s side at all” as he seeks to return to the White House.
“I would say several years ago I would have been there more,” Winston Wolkoff said on the MeidasTouch podcast.
Melania Trump will make a rare political appearance on July 8 when she holds a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans, the largest conservative LGBTQ+ organization.
The event will be held at Trump Tower in New York and is the second fundraiser she has organized for the group. The first was at Mar-a-Lago in April.
The July event will charge attendees $100,000 per person.
She was last seen in public in New York City last week, leaving Trump Tower, beating the heat in a summer skirt and a white shirt. The couple was last seen together in public in May at Barron’s high school graduation.