Melania Trump was once again absent for another of her husband’s court hearings in the latest high-profile event she has refused to attend.
Her husband Donald appeared at a Washington D.C. court on Thursday to plead not guilty on four charges in relation to the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Melania has been noticeably absent from the former president’s side since he launched his presidential campaign in November 2022.
Aside from a Fox News interview in May, Mrs. Trump has not appeared at any of her husband’s court hearings and has repeatedly refused to join him on the campaign trail.
Melania keeps a low profile
Certainly, compared to her predecessors, Mrs. Trump has kept in the shadows following her tenure as first lady.
Last month, The New York Times noted her “very private life” in a lengthy profile on Mrs. Trump. She has no plans for a book tour, nor ambitions for an expansion on charitable efforts, according to the Times.
She has, rather interestingly, expressed curiosity in Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor – and main GOP rival to Trump – Ron DeSantis.
Melania’s lack of campaigning becomes only clearer when compared to her counterpart, who has even started holding events in support of the Florida Governor on her own accord.
Of course, DeSantis needs as much support as he can get; he’s trailing former president Trump by more than 30 percentage points, and previous indictments have only increased the Republican frontrunner’s support rather than diminish it.
In a televised interview in May, Melania expressed support for her husband’s campaign, albeit far from the rallying rhetoric used by Mrs. DeSantis.
“He has my support, and we look forward to restoring hope for the future and leading America with love and strength,” she told Fox News while highlighting her desire to continue working with children, a key focus in her previous term as first lady.
Popularity problems
Naturally, a lady who is unwilling to publicly support her husband’s campaign is yet to issue any statement as to why she would prefer to keep to the sidelines.
She has, at least privately, supported the former president’s bid, and reportedly shares his views on the “witch hunt” against him.
Despite leaving the White House as the least popular first lady in American history according to polls at the time, Melania remains favorable among conservative women.
With husband Donald set to win the Republican nomination in next year’s primaries if the polls remain in his favor, Melania could join the campaign trail in the months leading up to the November 5 election.
Her presence could prove key in resonating the Republican message with voters, particularly among conservative women upset with GOP stances on abortion across the country.
For now, however, Mrs. Trump is determined to remain out of the public eye until she could be thrust back into it next year.
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist based in Canada. He has written for the Western Standard, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo, and has covered notable events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
