Standing by her man (again): Melania smiles and even gives Donald a kiss as he celebrates his victory – having endured the embarrassment of rape trials and porn star ‘hush money’ over past four years
Melania Trump is once again standing next to 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 his election watch party in Palm Beach, Florida, as Trump took the stage and declared victory in the early hours of Wednesday morning, marking an extraordinary political comeback was sealed.
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 “best-selling book in the country.”
Melania held Trump’s hand, smiled at the crowd and even shared a quick kiss with him on stage as the gathering celebrated the couple’s return to the White House.
Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania as he arrives to speak at an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center
Donald Trump pumps the crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center with his fists as he holds the hand of his wife Melania
Melania Trump smiled as she held her husband Donald’s hand during his election watch party
Melania, standing next to her husband and son Barron, cheers as her husband celebrates his election victory
The former First Lady, 54, who has been largely absent from Trump’s campaign this election cycle, joined a star-studded cast at Madison Square Garden in late October to rally support for her husband.
She was introduced on stage by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and received a thunderous standing ovation as she defiantly told the crowd, “New York City and America need their magic.”
Melania spoke for just 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 New York and warned that voting for Kamala Harris would be a “gamble ‘ is. ‘ that ‘could cost millions of lives’ and lead to ‘World War III’.
It was a rare and stunning move from the former first lady, who has been clear about her disdain for politics.
She went to the Republican National Convention but did not speak. She did not attend either presidential debate.
Melania accompanied Trump as he cast his vote in Palm Beach, Florida, on Election Day, but kept her sunglasses on as her husband answered questions from reporters.
She answered a quick question about how she was feeling: “Very good. Thank you.’
Donald Trump arrives on his election night with his smiling wife Melania and their 18-year-old son Barron by his side
Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Viktor Knavs, JD Vance and Ivanka Trump are pictured together at the election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida
After voting, the couple walked by Trump’s campaign headquarters to thank his staff and asked them to ensure there was no “cheating” on Election Day.
‘You’re going to look. They’re monitoring to make sure there’s no cheating, right? No cheating,” he said, before promising “change this country.”
Melania said a short word to thank the staff.
‘A great job. Thank you very much for your support. It was hard work, I know. It’s hours upon hours. I know how hard my husband works. Nonstop. Thanks for all your support. Great job,” she told them.
This is a development story. Check back for updates.