If this Thursday, June 27 was marked in France by the second debate of the legislative elections, across the Atlantic, it was a completely different opposition that kept the world in suspense. On the evening of June 27 EDT, Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced each other in view of the next American presidential elections. A debate that took place in Atlanta, Georgia and that was closely followed by observers who could only note the absence of the former First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. Yes, as during the kickoff of the 2024 election in Iowa or Donald Trump’s victory party during Super Tuesday last March, Melania Trump was conspicuous by her absence. Among the rare exceptions, we can cite two fundraisers in April and the presentation of her son Barron’s high school graduation.
Another fact that has generated a lot of reaction is the former First Lady’s conspicuous absence from her husband’s trial in the bribery case. In more than a month of hearings, Melania Trump was not seen once and was not present when the guilty verdict was announced. She also did not appear on June 14 for Donald Trump’s 78th birthday, organized by his fan club, or at any of the rallies he has held in recent months. “His absence is unusual,” Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University, told our colleagues at The Independent. However, Ms Jellison says this should not be surprising, as Melania Trump seems reluctant to play the traditional public role of a politician’s wife, that of the perfect American woman.
Melania Trump: the opposite of a “trad-wife”?
Although we know about Melania Trump’s reluctance to play a public role, her behavior raises questions across the Atlantic. Indeed, in politics, it is customary for men to rely on their wives, particularly in the Republican camp, to convey the image of the typical and traditional American family, often defended by conservatives. It also allows voters to form a clearer idea of the candidate outside of the political arena. Thus, Melania Trump’s absence and apparent disinterest in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign are not very well received.
Especially since, unlike the sons and daughter of the 45th President of the United States, the former model did not defend her husband or criticize the verdict when he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying accounting documents, intended to conceal a payment to the porn actress, Stormy Daniels, as specified by France 24. “I think it’s very hard for her.”Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News, adding to defend his wife and probably appearances: “I mean she’s fine. But, you know, she has to read all this crap.”
Article written in collaboration with 6Médias.
Photo credits: The White House via BestImage
 conspicuous by her absence){kind=link}