Melania Trump takes to RNC floor in rare appearance alongside family for his nomination speech

Melania Trump was greeted with rapturous applause as she made her entrance on the final night of the Republican National Convention, and offered her husband a brief peck on the cheek as he concluded his mammoth acceptance speech.

The former first lady was pictured standing behind Trump as he signed paperwork to accept his third nomination for the GOP presidential candidate on Thursday, alongside his newly selected running mate for 2024, JD Vance.

Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, stood with Melania, as well as the president’s daughter Ivanka, and son Eric. The former first lady was not mentioned on the list of speakers at the RNC for Thursday, but later made her official entrance to the convention floor to lilting classical music.

Wearing a red suit, Melania smiled and waved to supporters, before joining her husband and Vance in the box as the appplause continued.

In his acceptance speech – the longest in RNC history – Trump directed crowds towards Melania, saying: “On this journey, I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife, Melania.” To cheers, he continued: “Melania, thank you very much. You also did something really beautiful, a letter to America, calling for national unity.”

As he concluded his remarks after almost two hours, the former first lady returned to the stage to join her husband offering him a small kiss on the cheek. The pair held hands as they were joined by members of the Trump family as thousands of red, white and blue balloons fell.

In his speech former president thanked his entire family: “Don, Kimberly, Ivanka and Jared, Eric and Lara, Tiffany and Michael, Barron, we love our Barron.” Barron did not appear to be in the box alongside his other family members, nor on the stage later.

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