Former President Donald Trump was seen stepping off Trump Force One with a fervent female supporter by his side ahead of his primetime presidential debate against Kamala Harris. However, it wasn’t his wife, former first lady, Melania via The Independent.
The former president touched down on the tarmac in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Laura Loomer – the conservative conspiracy theorist and firm fixture of his MAGA entourage who once described herself as a “proud Islamophobe” – by his side.
Former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, Eric Trump’s son, Lara Trump, Eric’s daughter-in-law and RNC co-chair, and his lawyer Alina Habba were also among those stepping off Trump’s jet.
The MAGA clan was among a group of Trump’s closest allies to join him at the debate on Tuesday night where he clashed with his Democratic rival. They wildly and falsely claimed that immigrants are eating cats and dogs in Ohio.
Melania, meanwhile, was notably absent from the night’s events.
The former first lady has mostly stayed away from the campaign trail since her husband began his re-election campaign. She has only appeared with him a few times, such as at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July.
Other than the RNC, Melania has only made a few other appearances with her husband this year, including a Florida campaign fundraiser in April and their son Barron’s high school graduation in May. Trump was allowed a day away from his hush money criminal trial in New York to attend the graduation.
Melania did not attend Trump’s first debate of his campaign against President Joe Biden in July. This ultimately led to the president dropping out of the race and Harris stepping up to lead the Democratic ticket.
However, Melania did attend Trump’s debate against Biden in 2020. At the event, the candidates greeted their spouses, and there was an awkward moment when Melania sharply pulled her hand away as the Trumps exited the stage.
