Former First Lady Melania Trump took the stage at Madison Square Garden Sunday night, headlining for her husband Donald’s New York City rally in a rare appearance on the campaign trail this cycle.
Melania, wearing a long, zebra print dress, welcomed the crowd to her and Donald’s “hometown” deep into the night’s line-up. She celebrated all of the city’s accomplishments — before introducing the former president to the stage in a warm embrace.
“Our hometown, where architectural symbols of strength, courage and unity, create a canvas for the world’s undisputed capital of industry,” the proud New Yorker said.
“Where titans of finance, fashion and entertainment convene among an iconic range of superior design, structures and artistic accomplishments,” Melania added.
The former first lady had not spoken publicly on the 2024 campaign trail — and has only rarely been spotted next to her husband, choosing to spend her time with their 18-year-old son Barron in Florida and the Big Apple instead.
She went to Milwaukee, Wisc., to sit next to her husband at the Republican National Convention days after he was shot in Butler, Pa., but did not make a speech on stage then, choosing to issue a heartfelt statement about the assassination attempt instead.
The former model moved back to New York shortly before Barron entered college in September and finished high school down in Palm Beach. He’s attending NYU and is commuting to class from the family apartment in Trump Tower.
The campaign appearances Melania did make were held in private venues and she was paid hundreds of thousands to appear, like at a Log Cabin Republicans event back in the spring. She also recently published her book “Melania” and has been making media appearances to speak about her life and the contents of the memoir, including her views on women and abortion.
She made her speaking debut at her husband’s MSG rally just over a week before Election Day and talked about New York, where she made her career after moving to the US from Slovenia.
Melania spoke about New York being “unforgiving” and about the “decline in the quality of life” in the city in recent years, while the crowd shouted and applauded her.
“Love you too!” she chimed back at the 20,000-seater arena.
“New York City and America needs their magic back,” she went on, arguing her husband will be the “next commander-in-chief” who will bring greatness back.
Melania Trump finished her speech by introducing the former president to the massive crowd. He walked into the arena to fierce applause and cheers and hugged his wife, kissing her on her cheeks and holding her hand while looking out at the audience
“We are pleased to be joined by my beautiful wife,” Trump said.
“It’s a great book,” he congratulated her on her best-selling novel.
He revealed Barron is “at home watching,” calling him the “king of the internet,” as he has advised him on key podcast appearances.