Melania Trump unlikely to have heavy presence on campaign trail

Last month, as Melania Trump voted with her husband, former President Trump, in the Florida primary, she was asked if she would return to the campaign trail this year.

“Please look forward to it,” the former first lady replied with a smile.

But aside from a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans at her Mar-a-Lago home earlier this month, Melania Trump hasn’t been seen on the stump. And those around her say they don’t expect that to change.

“It’s not her comfort zone,” said a person who has spent time with the former first lady and knows her preferences when it comes to campaigning and the political arena.

“And I think this is a real loss, because first ladies are typically supportive in their campaigns with undecided women. She has a very compelling story and He is good at conveying the message,” the source said. “I respect her for doing something she didn’t want to do, but you have to think it was detrimental to her husband’s campaign.”

Another source added: “The campaign doesn’t want her to be public because they know she hates it… She’s a very private person.”

Trump is in a hush-money criminal trial in New York, where he is accused of fraudulently concealing payments to a porn star in order to cover up an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election, and the former president is currently out of election trial. being kept away.

Strategists say surrogates such as former first ladies and Trump’s children could fill the void, especially in light of numerous polls showing Biden favoring Trump over the past few weeks. He says it may be helpful.

According to the latest national opinion poll compiled by Decision Desk Headquarters/The Hill (DDHQ), Mr. Trump has a narrow 0.4 percentage point lead over Mr. Biden. According to the DDHQ poll in Pennsylvania, Mr. Biden had a lead over Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania, but the margins were narrow in the battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin.

But people who know Melania Trump say they expect she will likely stay out of the spotlight despite the pressures of Trump’s legal battles and campaign.

“If she’s not going to campaign now that her husband is in criminal trial, I don’t think she’s going to campaign at all,” the first source said, adding that the former first lady said: “I don’t think she has any intention of doing so. No,” he added. She wants to be in a position where she is asked about it. ”

Despite repeated requests, the Trump campaign and the former first lady’s aides would not comment on how Melania Trump would participate in the presidential race.

Sources with knowledge of the first lady say she wields significant power over her husband and remains one of his top advisors in private. Her sources say that if she has any issues or news that are important to her, she makes sure to listen to him. And at key moments in her campaign, including her vice presidential selection, she is known for voicing her own opinions.

Earlier this month, the former first lady made headlines when she launched a series of customizable necklaces for Mother’s Day. Her so-called Her Love & Gratitude necklace costs her $245. Proceeds from necklaces sold on her website will apparently be donated to Melania Trump.

“Being a mother is one of the most important roles in life,” President Melania Trump said in a statement, adding that the necklace represents “immeasurable gratitude and honor” to all mothers. .

Since leaving the White House, Melania Trump has spent most of her days focused on her family. Sources say she’s been spending time with her sister Ines and going to the Mar-a-Lago spa. Next month’s focus will be on the ex-couple’s son, Barron, graduating from high school.

“She’s not on Worth Avenue hanging out with her girlfriends,” the first source said of the famous Palm Beach street known for its upscale stores. “She is introverted and focused on her family, and is not often motivated by what motivates most political spouses.”

Melania Trump’s absence from the campaign trail differs greatly from the approach taken by First Lady Jill Biden.

Since the start of the year, Mr. Biden has made 26 appearances on behalf of his campaign, including at campaign fundraising events and events in battleground states such as Georgia, Nevada and Arizona, where the Biden-Harris She helped found the “Women for Women” coalition. The first lady, a longtime college professor, appeared in Minnesota last week to promote Biden-Harris, a program aimed at engaging her teachers, school staff and parents in support of her husband’s campaign. “Educators” was launched.

Jill Biden also gave an interview in January, as did MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski, in which she said that the Jan. He talked about how he wanted to be. Even more in battle. ”

“Because we have to win. We have to win. We can’t give up our democracy,” she said.

In an interview, the first lady advocated on her husband’s behalf despite looming questions about his age and mental acuity during the campaign.

“He can do it. And I see Joe every day. I see him traveling all over this country. I see his energy. I see his energy. “I see his passion every day,” she said. “His age is an asset.”

First ladies typically spotlight the softer, more human sides of presidents, discussing more private moments and highlighting their personalities and passions.

But in Trump’s case, “there’s no need to humanize her because that’s not what voters want,” said Kate Andersen Brower, author of “First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies.” . “They don’t want to see the softer side of Donald Trump.”

Brower went on to say that Melania Trump is “the most private woman in American history.”

“And his supporters are comfortable with her being in the shadows,” she says.