20 April 2024 , 11:49
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After keeping a low profile for months, former first lady Melania Trump is stepping back into the political arena this Saturday for a fundraising event at Mar-a-Lago.
She's slated to attend a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBTQ+ GOP advocacy group, marking a significant return to political activities. The exclusive event will be held at the Palm Beach estate she shares with ex-President Donald Trump and will be closed to the press.
This marks her first major political engagement of the year, sparking speculation about her future involvement in her husband's political endeavours. Despite her prolonged absence from Donald Trump's campaign trail, including skipping his Super Tuesday victory celebration, Melania's presence at the Log Cabin Republicans' event suggests she may increase her visibility as the November election approaches.
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Melania last made a public appearance with husband Donald at a GOP fundraiser (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)Last month, the couple made a joint appearance to vote in Florida's primary. When quizzed by a journalist on whether she'd hit the campaign circuit again, Melania offered a cryptic smile and teased: "Stay tuned."
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Adding to her slowly growing list of public appearances, the former first lady recently graced a high-profile fundraiser at hedge-fund tycoon John Paulson's residence in Palm Beach, where she was snapped alongside her spouse against the backdrop of the oceanfront mansion. The Log Cabin Republicans, a group that identifies itself as the country's "largest organisation representing LGBT conservatives and straight allies who support fairness, freedom, and equality for all Americans," had Melania Trump as a special guest and recipient of their Spirit of Lincoln award in 2021 at a dinner held at Mar-a-Lago.
On Friday, the Log Cabin Republicans thanked Melania Trump on X for her comments during a Fox News Digital interview. "We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American," Melania Trump stated in the interview.
Melania has been notably absent from Trump's side on the election campaign trail (Getty Images)In their endorsement of the former president for his 2020 re-election bid, the Log Cabin Republicans lauded Trump for his "commitment to govern from a place of inclusion." They also praised him for his "commitment to end the spread of HIV/AIDS" and his initiative to "end the criminalisation of homosexuality internationally."
However, Trump's record on LGBTQ+ issues has often been criticised. During his presidency, he nominated judges for the US Supreme Court, including Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, who were criticised by liberal advocates members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Trump also came under fire nationally in 2017 when he declared that transgender individuals would be banned from serving in the military, despite approximately 15,000 transgender people being enlisted at the time. In 2019, he prohibited US embassies from flying the rainbow or pride flag during Pride Month.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has consistently ridiculed transgender individuals, employing language related to gender identity that LGBTQ+ advocates have condemned as damaging. He has mimicked a young athlete struggling to lift weights in comparison to other competitors "who transitioned."
In his campaign speeches, he has boasted about his commitment to slash federal funding for schools that endorse what he refers to as "transgender insanity." Among the further pledges Trump has made at his rallies are plans to stop federal funds from going to hospitals that offer gender-affirming care to minors and to eliminate any program that supports sex or gender transition. He has also vowed to urge Congress to enact a ban on chemical or surgical treatments for minors.