Melania Trump is once again supporting her husband Donald Trump as he celebrates his 2024 election victory after being largely absent from the campaign trail this election cycle.
Melania, 54, held her husband’s hand and smiled at the crowd of MAGA fans at her election watch party in Palm Beach, Florida, as Trump took the stage and declared victory in the early morning hours of the Wednesday, consolidating an extraordinary political comeback.
The presumptive president-elect thanked his “beautiful wife” for her dedication and praised her for “working very hard to help people” as he delivered his victory speech.
Trump, 78, who kissed Melania’s cheek as he addressed his supporters, also mentioned her memoir Melania, which he touted as the “number one best-selling book in the country.”
The couple’s celebratory appearance comes just weeks after Melania made her triumphant return to politics by introducing Trump at his star-studded rally at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania as he arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center.
Donald Trump pumps his fists into the crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center while holding hands with his wife Melania.
Melania Trump smiled as she held her husband Donald’s hand at their election viewing party.
Melania, standing with her husband and son Barron, applauds as her husband celebrates his election victory.
The former first lady, 54, who has been largely absent from Trump’s campaign this election cycle, accompanied her husband as he celebrated his return to the White House early Wednesday morning.
She was close to her husband and was joined by Barron, Trump’s youngest son. Trump’s older children, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany also joined their father on stage.
Trump claimed victory and promised to “heal” the country by declaring his election victory “a political victory our country has never seen before.”
He also thanked his ‘beautiful wife Melania’ who ‘has the number one selling book in the country’ and ‘his entire family and his ‘incredible children’.
His exuberant speech came even though only Fox News had declared him the winner, and no other American network had made the call so far. The Associated Press had not yet called Trump’s election as of 3 a.m. EST.
Melania had joined an all-star cast at Madison Square Garden in late October to drum up support for her husband.
She was introduced on stage by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and emerged to a standing ovation as she defiantly told the crowd, “New York City and America need to get their magic back.”
Melania only spoke for five minutes, but her speech focused more on a vision for the country and less on politics, while her husband said it would be an ‘honor’ to win in New York and warned that voting for Kamala Harris is a ‘gamble.’ that could ‘cost millions of lives’ and lead to ‘World War III’.
It was an unusual and surprising move by the former first lady, who has made clear her disdain for politics.
He attended the Republican National Convention but did not speak. He did not attend any of the presidential debates.
Melania accompanied Trump when he cast his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day, but kept her sunglasses on while her husband answered reporters’ questions.
She responded to a brief question about how she felt: ‘Very good. Thank you.’
Donald Trump arrives at his election night event with his smiling wife Melania and son Barron, 18, by his side.
Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Viktor Knavs, JD Vance and Ivanka Trump appear together at the election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida.
After voting, the couple stopped by Trump’s campaign headquarters to thank his staff and asked them to make sure there was no “cheating” on Election Day.
‘You’re going to be watching. They’re watching to make sure there’s no cheating, right? No tricks,” he said, before promising “change this country.”
Melania said a few quick words to thank the staff.
‘A great job. Thank you very much for your support. It was hard work, I know. It’s hours by hours. I know how hard my husband is working. Non-stop. Thank you for all your support. Good job,’ he told them.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
