Melania Trump makes first appearance Donald Trump in months after declining pleas to speak in support of her husband

Melania Trump has made her first appearance at the Republican National Convention after turning down appeals to speak at the event.

The former First Lady entered the arena to raucous applause, beaming and smiling to the packed crowd as she walked along a red carpet and took her seat to watch Donald Trump speak.

Wearing a matching red blazer and skirt two-piece – which coordinated with her husband's tie – Melania sat next to her husband's running mate J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, who was also dressed in red.

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Melania, J.D. and Usha watched on as Donald took the stage, with the former President's children seated with their step-mother.

Donald gave a shoutout to his wife in his speech, thanking her for her "beautiful" public letter of support in the wake of the attempt on his life over the weekend.

After his speech concluded, Melania took the stage with her husband and his family, smiling and waving at the crowd.

The former First Lady was first spotted backstage at the RNC by the New York Times, with the publication photographing Melania greeting her husband with a kiss and holding his hand about an hour before he was scheduled to speak.

With honey blonde streaks in her hair, Melania's decision not speak at the RNC this year raised eyebrows, as it's customary for a candidate's spouse to speak at their nomination.

Melania reportedly declined multiple pleas for her to speak.

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She did, however, agree to watch as he signed paperwork ahead of his speech.

Donald's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump was also photographed by her step-mother's side, watching on with Usha as Donald and J. D. signed documents officially accepting their party's nomination.

Elsewhere during the event, Donald's other children – including his youngest daughter Tiffany Trump, whom he shares with ex Marla Maples – were spotted in the crowd.

Both Ivanka and Tiffany wore white, with Ivanka being photographed sending air kisses to the crowd as she took her seat.

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The idea of nominees' spouses speaking at the event is to show a more human, softer side of the candidate – which is what former President Trump's teen granddaughter Kai Trump did at the convention when she spoke on Wednesday.

"To me, he's just a normal grandpa," the 17-year-old said during her appearance.

"He gives us candy and soda when our parents are not looking. He always wants to know how we're doing in school," Kai continued.

Melania was noticeably absent as Kai spoke on the third day of the convention, as well as the first two days of the annual event.

She previously spoke at her husband's nomination at the RNC in 2016 and 2020.

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Melania, 54, has only made a few public appearances during her husband's latest presidential campaign, opting to avoid the spotlight at most rallies and events.

She was last pictured with the former US president back in March 2024, when she accompanied her husband to cast their votes during the Republican primary contest in Florida.

It comes after previous reports Melania had "zero desire" to return to the White House.

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