Melania Trump makes a rare appearance at the Republican Convention

Melania Trump has appeared in public for the first time in so long. Dressed in red, she walked alone into the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, accompanied by classical music.

Sparkling and very elegant, she looked more like she was walking a catwalk than a political convention. Melania joined her husband on stage after his lengthy speech, walking to the podium. Donald Trump gave her a hug and the pair shared a kiss on the cheek. He then took her hand and walked across the stage as other members of the Trump family joined them.

Since her husband was first elected president in 2016, Melania Trump has broken all the rules of normal American presidential politics. In the White House during Trump's first term, she was an isolated figure compared to other first ladies, focusing on a narrow set of interests. Since her husband left office, she has refused to be seen by Trump's side on many occasions even when the public expected her to be present.

Unlike the previous Republican conventions in 2016 and 2020, she did not give a speech. Showing signs of affection, the former first lady was seen occasionally touching her husband's arm and chatting with Trump's newly nominated vice-presidential pick, JD Vance.

"Thank you Melania and thank you also for your beautiful letter to America that calls for national unity," he said, referring to the former first lady's statement issued after the assassination of her husband.