Trump on the road alone

Where is Melania? Marriage as a pure business relationship?

A marriage as a pure business relationship?(Bild: APA/AFP/GIORGIO VIERA)

Melania Trump gave a terse response with the words "Stay tuned" when asked if she plans to show up at her husband's appearances during the US presidential election campaign. Since leaving the White House, the 53-year-old has rarely made a public appearance and has largely remained silent. 

Although she was briefly seen casting her vote in the presidential primaries in Florida, her role in her husband Donald Trump's campaign has so far remained marginal.

While Jill Biden, the wife of Democratic President Joe Biden, regularly attends his re-election campaign events, Melania Trump has barely been seen at her husband's side. She has also not commented publicly on the numerous charges against Donald Trump in the past year and has not accompanied him to any of his court hearings.

Donald and Melania Trump after casting their votes in Florida.(Bild: APA/AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Affront to her husband
Melania Trump, who has mainly been active in her private life since leaving the White House, recently made a remarkable statement when she spoke at a naturalization ceremony in Washington, welcoming immigrants despite her husband's repeated anti-immigrant rhetoric. This rare public appearance caused a stir and was interpreted as an affront to her husband.

There is speculation as to what role Melania Trump will play in her husband's future election campaign. Donald Trump told Fox News that she would play a "big role", but remained vague about her activities.

"Knew what she was getting into"
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former friend and advisor to the former First Lady, is convinced that Melania Trump will continue to support her husband, regardless of any further scandals or revelations. She emphasized that their marriage was purely a business relationship and that Melania knew exactly what she was getting into.

Melania Trump knew what she was getting into with Donald Trump.(Bild: APA/AFP/MANDEL NGAN)

"She stood by him and will continue to stand by him because she's just like him," said Winston Wolkoff. "She knew exactly who she was marrying and warned him that all his secrets would come out if he ran for president," she said. "People would be surprised to know how much they agree on a lot of things."