Melania Trump, 54, steps back into the limelight at RNC after difficult year that saw the death of her mother, her husband in court and nearly assassinated, and Baron leave for college – but could not be persuaded into speaking

• The former First Lady, 54, strode onto the RNC stage sporting a striking red dress
• It was the first time she attended one of her husband’s political events in months 

By DAVID AVERRE

PUBLISHED: 07:38 EDT, 19 July 2024 | UPDATED: 10:06 EDT, 19 July 202

Donald Trump’s address at the Republican National Congress in Milwaukee last night just days after he survived an attempt on his life sent the adoring crowd into raptures. 

But the unexpected return of his wife Melania Trump to the limelight was arguably the biggest talking point of the night.

The former First Lady, 54, strode onto the stage sporting a striking red dress to thunderous applause and wild cheers prior to Trump’s speech, after which she greeted her husband with an awkward kiss as balloons cascaded from the ceiling.

Melania until last night had practically vanished from public life and the media, refusing to accompany her husband on the campaign trail and remaining absent even through his court battles in New York over the Stormy Daniels hush money payments.

Amid a difficult period that saw the death of her mother in January, followed by Trump’s legal strife and now the imminent departure of son Barron for college, many speculated that the former president had lost the support of his wife. 

But Trump’s brush with death in Pennsylvania last weekend seems to have prompted Melania’s return to the fore as the Republican nominee pushes for a second term in the White House.

Republican Presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania Trump after speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 18, 2024

Former first lady Melania Trump walks out to join Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump

July 18, 2024, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: MELANIA TRUMP joins her husband DONALD J. TRUMP on stage after his acceptance speech at the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee

Trump signs paperwork to officially accept the nomination during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, stands on stage with Melania Trump after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee

Daughter of former US President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband former US government official Jared Kushner arrive for the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention

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