Melania Trump seen for the first time since mysteriously missing her husband’s first presidential debate

Melania Trump was seen in public for the first time since skipping the first presidential debate as she walked into Trump Tower in New York City on Monday.

The former first lady wore green skinny-leg pants, a black jacket and black flats. She wore sunglasses and carried a large black Louis Vuitton bag.

Employees loaded stacks of Louis Vuitton suitcases onto carts to take them to Trump’s home in New York.

She was conspicuously absent — without explanation — from last week’s debate, where Joe Biden struggled with answers. Jill Biden was there and joined her husband on stage at the conclusion of the debate.

Donald Trump left the debate stage alone.

Melania Trump was seen in public for the first time since skipping the debate

It is unclear where Melania Trump spent her summer. The Trump family usually heads to Bedminister, New Jersey, where they have homes on Donald Trump’s private golf club.

But the former president prepared for the debate from Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach home.

Melania’s absence from the debate was a notable break with tradition.

She attended every debate in the 2016 and 2020 election cycles.

“Since 1976, families have regularly come to the debates, and it would be quite shocking if a candidate’s wife were to break with that tradition,” said presidential historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky.

Her absence follows reports that she may not live in Washington DC full-time if her husband wins a second term in the White House.

Those close to the former first lady believe she will likely split her time between Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City — especially now that Barron, 18, has been tipped to attend New York University

Melania would instead only travel to Washington DC for ceremonial responsibilities such as state dinners and other special events.

Her office did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com about the report.

It’s rare for Melania to be seen in public, especially when it comes to Donald Trump’s bid for a second term in the White House.

Melania Trump was spotted walking into Trump Tower in New York

She carried a black Louis Vuitton bag

Seven months into 2024, she has yet to show up at a campaign rally for her husband. She failed to show up at a birthday party for Donald Trump on June 14, thrown by his fan club.

Melania Trump has shown rare public support for her husband as he seeks a second term in the White House.

She joined Trump when he announced his 2024 presidential bid last November. But otherwise, she only appeared at one fundraiser for his campaign and voted with her husband in the Florida primary.

“Stay tuned,” she told reporters when asked if she would campaign for Trump.

But it is unclear what she meant by that.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former friend of Melania Trump turned critic, said the former first lady “has not stood by her husband in any way” as he pursued a return to the White House.

“I think she would have been there more often a few years ago,” Winston Wolkoff said on the MeidasTouch Podcast.

Melania Trump will make a rare political appearance on July 8 when she hosts a fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans, the largest conservative LGBTQ+ organization.

The event will take place at Trump Tower in New York and is the second fundraiser she has organized for the group. The first was at Mar-a-Lago in April.

For the July event, participants will be charged $100,000 per person.

She was last seen in public in New York City last week, leaving Trump Tower, beating the heat in a summer skirt and white shirt. The couple was last seen together in public in May, at Barron’s high school graduation ceremony.