Illustration of "Melania Trump's Surprise Appearance at Republican National Convention Sparks Speculation"

“Melania Trump’s Surprise Appearance at Republican National Convention Sparks Speculation”

Former First Lady Melania Trump is set to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week, marking a rare political appearance. However, she is not expected to address the gathering, where her husband, former President Donald Trump, will formally accept the Republican nomination.

During her time in the White House, Melania Trump preferred to maintain her privacy and was often reluctant to participate in campaign activities. This election season, she has largely stayed out of the campaign spotlight.

Convention organizers released a speaker list on Saturday that did not include Melania Trump. A source familiar with the event’s schedule confirmed that she would attend but would not speak, speaking on condition of anonymity because of internal planning protocols.

The list of speakers features three potential vice presidential candidates: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, as well as a mix of Trump allies from various sectors.

Melania Trump has previously spoken at the last two Republican conventions. Typically, spouses of presumptive nominees give speeches that highlight their partner’s background and personal qualities.

During the 2020 convention, which was affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Melania Trump promised that her husband “would not rest” until he had done everything to help those impacted by the pandemic. In 2016, she spoke about her upbringing in Slovenia and vouched for her husband’s character and loyalty.

Convention speakers this year include Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, singer Lee Greenwood, model and rapper Amber Rose, and UFC CEO Dana White. Other notable names include evangelist Franklin Graham, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, and the mayor of East Palestine, Ohio, who criticized President Joe Biden’s response to a 2023 train derailment.

Some senior Trump campaign officials see the former president’s visit to East Palestine after the derailment as a pivotal moment in his campaign, helping him to re-establish his position as a GOP front-runner.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Trump’s primary rivals, will also appear at the convention. However, Nikki Haley was not invited, as Trump remains upset with her for not dropping out of the race until March.

The schedule also includes former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who is currently in jail on contempt of Congress charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack investigation. Navarro is scheduled to be released just in time to attend the convention.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who considered running against Trump but ultimately decided against it, will also speak.

Additionally, the campaign has announced a list of “regular people” to be featured, including a group of students and fraternity brothers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, struggling parents, and Trump’s former golf caddie.

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Slodysko reported from Washington.

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