Melania 'going to be out a lot' on campaign trail, Trump says

Former President Donald Trump claims that his wife Melania is expected to make more regular public appearances on the campaign trail.

Trump made the remarks during his interview at a Fox News townhall earlier this week with host Laura Ingraham. 

"It’s funny, she was a very successful model, very, very successful, and yet she was a private person. She’s going to be out a lot. Not because she likes doing it, but she likes the results," he said Tuesday. "She wants to see this country really succeed. She loves the country."

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Former President Donald Trump sits for a town hall hosted by Laura Ingraham on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" in Greenville, South Carolina (Paul Steinhauser - Fox News )

"You know, a lot of first ladies would go out — they want to be everywhere. They get angry at their husband because he’s not introducing them," Trump continued. "If I didn’t introduce Melania, she’d be very happy about it. She’s just a different kind of a person."

Melania has been largely absent from her husband's 2024 presidential bid thus far, making few public appearances and staying out of the media.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump arrive for a New Years event at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Her absence, until recently, has been explained by the passing of her mother, Amalija Knavs, earlier this year. But as the campaign season becomes more intense, political commentators have questioned whether she will step back into efforts supporting Trump.

Trump also expressed appreciation that Melania has been dedicated to raising their son, Barron Trump.

"Her life revolves around that boy. It’s so important to her," Trump said. "At the same time, it also revolves around our country and the success of our country. She’s raised a lot of money for charity. She’s a private person."

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Former President Donald Trump attends the funeral of mother-in-law Amalija Knavs alongside his wife Melania, son Barron, and father-in-law Viktor Knavs at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. (Alon Skuy for Fox News Digital)

"And she loves the country," Trump added. "She’s going to be out a lot, but she does it for the good of the country, not for her. She’s somebody with a lot of confidence. She doesn’t need that."

Trump's Fox News town hall came four days before South Carolina's Republican presidential primary, which commences Saturday. 

The latest public opinion polls indicate that he maintains a very large double-digit lead over former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, his last major rival for the GOP nomination.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.