After a long absence from the public eye, Melania Trump is back. A visit by a right-wing populist prime minister from Hungary lured her onto the stage at Mar-a-Lago.
Per Olav ØdegårdCommentator Info
Commentator in VG. Former foreign journalist and correspondent for VG in the USA. Writes mostly about international affairs.
FLOWER GREETINGS: Melania Trump received a generous bouquet of flowers from Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Mar-a-Lago, while the orchestra played “Pretty Woman”. The photo was shared on Instagram by the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office. Tuesday 12 March at 11:56
Presidential candidate Donald Trump (77) is in the news every single day, whether in the election campaign or on the dock.
His wife Melania (53) is almost completely absent.
She wasn’t by her husband’s side when he celebrated a big win on Super Tuesday last week. In his victory speech, Trump thanked his children who “really love the country”, but he did not mention his spouse.
It was unusual. He has previously often spoken warmly of her in the election campaign.
THEN: Donald Trump and Melania photographed together in 2018 in connection with a state visit to Washington. Photo: MANDEL NGAN / AFP / NTB
Before the weekend, Melania finally appeared in public when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Florida.
The former president arrived at the Mar-a-Lago ballroom first, to thunderous applause from an inner circle of Trump supporters. He was followed by Melania Trump, who reportedly smiled at those present on one occasion.
She said nothing, but acted very surprised when Orbán presented her with a lavish bouquet of flowers. The Hungarian charm offensive was accompanied by the orchestra playing Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman”.
The authoritarian prime minister, who often plays the role of troublemaker in the EU and Nato, was so captivated that he posted a series of photos on Instagram of Melania titled Pretty Woman.
FAREWELL TO WASHINGTON: On January 20, 2021, Donald and Melania Trump left the White House without attending the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden. Here they wave to those in attendance before boarding the plane to Palm Beach in Florida. Photo: ALEX EDELMAN / AFP / NTB
Melania was present when Trump announced that he would run for president. Since then, she has appeared very rarely and never at election campaign meetings.
Melania is “missing in action”. The Trump supporters miss her and speculation is running high. Where is she? Why doesn’t she support her husband in the election campaign?
The answer is that she mostly stays at Mar-a-Lago. She apparently enjoyed being first lady, but dislikes campaigning.
Washington Post journalist Mary Jordan, who wrote a book about the former first lady, “The Art of Her Deal,” says Melania likes to be mysterious and secretive.
– She is the most secretive first lady we have had. She doesn’t tell anyone what she’s up to and mostly she doesn’t tell her husband either. She is remarkable. She doesn’t trust anyone, says Jordan according to The Times.
In an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump said that his spouse will participate a lot in the election campaign.
– Not because she likes it, but because she likes the result. She loves this country and wants to make it great.
Donald needs Melania in the election campaign. But no one knows whether she will fulfill his wish for a more active political role.
The New York Times journalist Katie Rogers recently published the book “American Woman”, about first ladies from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. She also says that Melania enjoyed being first lady, but not the struggle to get to the White House.
Rogers believes it is uncertain whether Melania will move into the White House if the man becomes president again. She believes that Melania prefers to be in Washington, DC for periods, but does not announce a permanent move.
But as usual, no one knows what Melania is thinking.
STARTED THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN: Melania Trump stood by her husband’s side when he announced in November 2022 that he would run as a candidate in the presidential election in 2024. Since then, she has not participated in election campaign meetings. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP / NTB
She has her own wing at Mar-a-Lago, separate from her husband. This was also the case when they lived in Trump Tower in New York. They apparently live very separate lives.
Early in Trump’s presidency, it was argued that she was more liberal and therefore had a moderating influence on him. Rogers thinks the opposite. When Donald is attacked, she encourages him to fight back.
What prompted Melania to attend a dinner and concert with Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago is unknown. She comes from Slovenia, which borders Hungary. Melania does not speak publicly about politics, but perhaps she likes Orban’s hard line.
In any case, Donald Trump is enthusiastic about Orbán and his illiberal system in Hungary. This means that democracy is in danger, also in the United States.
KISS ON THE CHEEK: President Donald Trump at a campaign meeting with Melania Trump on 29 October 2020. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / NTB This is a comment. The comment expresses the writer’s position.