Melania is MIA as furious Donald goes on the attack: Indicted ex-president's wife is not at Mar-a-Lago speech where he thanks family – but omits his wife – and lashes 'criminal' New York DA and 'Trump-hating judge'
- last year
Melania Trump was glaringly absent from her husband's side on Tuesday as he delivered a defiant speech at Mar-a-Lago, condemning the New York prosecutor and judge who presided over his historic arraignment.
The former president was supported by three of his five children - Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany - after his indictment over a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and the first appearance by a former president in a New York courtroom.
Teenage Barron is rarely seen, and Ivanka Trump - who previously played a pivotal role in her father's political career - announced before Christmas she was playing no part in his new chapter.
But Melania's absence was keenly felt, especially given that she was seen at Mar-a-Lago as recently as Thursday. Some speculated that her absence was due to the nature of the indictment, and the fact it was connected to allegations he cheated on her with Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.
The charges against him are related to a $30,000 payoff to a doorman trying to sell information about a child that Trump allegedly fathered out of wedlock; $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and a $130,000 payment to porn star Daniels.
But hours after the indictment was announced last week, Melania was by her husband's side in a very public show of strength. The couple dined together with friends at their usual, highly-visible table, at Mar-a-Lago. She wore a bright red dress, making her easy to spot by his side.
Yet on Tuesday she was nowhere to be seen - and was left out of her husband's speech in which he sang the praises of his other family members for their support.
Before the indictment was announced last week, a source told PEOPLE that Melania, 52, 'is leading her own life' and 'still feels happy' at Mar-a-Lago, but 'remains angry and doesn't want to hear' about the alleged $130,000 in hush money to Daniels.
But, despite the anger, she would support her husband, a person close to her told DailyMail.com.
'Mrs. Trump is strong. She is focused on her family and stands behind her husband, as she always has,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'For the past 7 years, the left has made multiple attempts to smear and attack her family and this is just the latest attempt to bring him down.'
The former president, meanwhile, made it clear he would fight the charges against him.
Donald Trump used his speech to tear into the judge and district attorney in New York who oversaw his arraignment on Tuesday, going after Judge Juan Merchan's family and calling Alvin Bragg a 'criminal.'
In a burst of fury during his 25-minute remarks to a packed crowd of family and supporters at Mar-a-Lago, Trump let his frustration with the case shine through.
He slammed his legal opposition, despite a warning from Merchan to use his words carefully in order to avoid a gag order.
The former president was supported by three of his five children - Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany - after his indictment over a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and the first appearance by a former president in a New York courtroom.
Teenage Barron is rarely seen, and Ivanka Trump - who previously played a pivotal role in her father's political career - announced before Christmas she was playing no part in his new chapter.
But Melania's absence was keenly felt, especially given that she was seen at Mar-a-Lago as recently as Thursday. Some speculated that her absence was due to the nature of the indictment, and the fact it was connected to allegations he cheated on her with Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.
The charges against him are related to a $30,000 payoff to a doorman trying to sell information about a child that Trump allegedly fathered out of wedlock; $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and a $130,000 payment to porn star Daniels.
But hours after the indictment was announced last week, Melania was by her husband's side in a very public show of strength. The couple dined together with friends at their usual, highly-visible table, at Mar-a-Lago. She wore a bright red dress, making her easy to spot by his side.
Yet on Tuesday she was nowhere to be seen - and was left out of her husband's speech in which he sang the praises of his other family members for their support.
Before the indictment was announced last week, a source told PEOPLE that Melania, 52, 'is leading her own life' and 'still feels happy' at Mar-a-Lago, but 'remains angry and doesn't want to hear' about the alleged $130,000 in hush money to Daniels.
But, despite the anger, she would support her husband, a person close to her told DailyMail.com.
'Mrs. Trump is strong. She is focused on her family and stands behind her husband, as she always has,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'For the past 7 years, the left has made multiple attempts to smear and attack her family and this is just the latest attempt to bring him down.'
The former president, meanwhile, made it clear he would fight the charges against him.
Donald Trump used his speech to tear into the judge and district attorney in New York who oversaw his arraignment on Tuesday, going after Judge Juan Merchan's family and calling Alvin Bragg a 'criminal.'
In a burst of fury during his 25-minute remarks to a packed crowd of family and supporters at Mar-a-Lago, Trump let his frustration with the case shine through.
He slammed his legal opposition, despite a warning from Merchan to use his words carefully in order to avoid a gag order.