Melania Trump delivers brutal 'snub' to Donald as she breaks with First Ladies' tradition

Matthew DaviesSat, September 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM UTC

0

Melania Trump has delivered a brutal "snub" to her husband, Donald -Credit:Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images

Melania Trump has delivered a brutal "snub" to her husband, Donald, by breaking with a long-established first ladies' tradition. The Republican midterm convention is due to take place next week (September 9 and 10) in Dallas, Texas, and will place election candidates in front of would-be voters and party donors, in what has been labelled "Trump-a-Palooza".

Some Republicans are reportedly set to avoid the MAGA "spectacle", with a POLITICO survey suggesting that more than 70 GOP candidates and members had disclosed that they wouldn't be going or remained undecided.

It's "all about President Donald Trump", claims the US political reporter Sarah Ewall-Wice. She says the POTUS is "raving about it", pushing it and "making it happen", much to the dismay of the Republican rank and file. It comes after Melania was allegedly "rushing down" to "claim her place" as First Lady amid rumours about Donald's loyal aide, Natalie Harp.

• Melania Trump busy with Christmas already after gripes on holiday duties exposed on tape

• Donald Trump relies on his 'work wives' because he is 'paranoid,' political expert claims

Sarah says the event has become a "chaotic nightmare" for these candidates to navigate, given their need to reach "very upset" voters ahead of the midterms in November. And it seems they aren't the only ones shunning the festivities.

Sarah says the event has become a "chaotic nightmare" for candidates -Credit:Getty Images

Speaking to The Daily Beast's Hugh Dougherty on a recent episode of the outlet's podcast, she said: "So we are learning that Melania Trump is not going to be at the convention and is snubbing her husband on this front.

"I guess it comes as a surprise when you talk about tradition and the fact that first ladies are typically at party conventions with their husbands, the presidents.

Advertisement

"We've seen Melania show up at past conventions, but Melania has (is) over it and is not showing up for this one."

US political campaigns tend to use spouses and families to humanize candidates. Traditionally, spouses and first ladies deliver speeches at these conventions, a practice dating back to Barbara Bush in 1992.

In 2024, soon after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, Melania appeared at the final night of the Republican National Convention, but broke with tradition by not delivering an address.

Melania is said to be breaking with a first ladies' tradition -Credit:Variety via Getty Images

Sarah shared her observations from that occasion: "I was on the floor when she walked out, and she waved, and MAGA gave her the biggest welcome. And then she wandered over to the box with her husband, but did not give a speech, which is shocking."

She added that addresses given by first ladies are sometimes the "most memorable speeches". As one example, she referred to former First Lady Michelle Obama's now-famous aphorism: "When they go low, we go high".

Melania has been notably absent from public appearances in recent months, while rumours about her and Donald's marriage continue to swirl. In August, claims emerged that Melania's office in the White House is "virtually non-existent".

Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House communications director, shared his thoughts on their relationship on The Daily Beast Podcast: "I think it's distant, you know, and I think it's distant for a number of different reasons. But I think they probably have grown apart.

"And I think her attitude is she's not going to embarrass him. He's the president of the United States, and she will serve as First Lady. But I think it's pretty clear that they're not living together."

He further claimed: "Let's say the First Lady's office, her office, is virtually non-existent. It's not staffed, and she's not working on projects like she was in the first term. And, you know, and I think people understood that going in."

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”