The fundraiser, held Saturday night at Mar-a-Lago, raised over $1 million Donald Trump was fundraising in North Carolina on Saturday nightREAD MORE: Insiders reveal how Melania is ‘furious’ with Donald
Melania Trump pushed for ‘equality for all’ at a $10,000-a-ticket fundraiser for a conservative LGBTQ group at a fundraiser on Saturday night while her husband, temporarily free from a New York court room, wooed the wealthy in North Carolina.
‘It is an honor and a privilege to be in your presence, once again, surrounded by allies and friends who share the common goal of promoting equality for all,’ the former first lady said during a rare appearance at a political event.
Melania, dressed in a black pantsuit, addressed a cheering crowd at Mar-a-Lago at the event for the Log Cabin Republicans. It raised about $1.1 million, former Ambassador Richard Grenel, who co-hosted the event, wrote on X.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, who’s been ordered to be in a New York court room for each day of his hush money trial, was in the battleground state of North Carolina.
The former president had to cancel a planned campaign rally due to thunderstorms but he did fit in a fundraiser for his presidential campaign. He was joined by his daughter-in-law and new Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump.
The event raised about $5 million, which will be split between Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican Party.
Trump, on Monday, railed against the New York judge who ordered him to be in court instead of on the campaign trail. The former president is trapped in New York on Monday through Friday, limiting his campaign time to weekends.
‘This is what took me off and takes me on the campaign trail. Because I should be in Georgia and now. I should be in Florida now. I should be in a lot of different places right now campaigning. I’m sitting here. This will go for a long time. It’s very unfair,’ he said.
Trump narrowly won North Carolina over Biden in 2020 and keeping it in his column will key to his chances for a victory in November.
While Trump has been in court, Biden has been hitting the critical battleground states what will decide the next occupant of the White House.
On Monday, Trump declined to answer a question about where his wife was during the event.
Trump has said in the courtroom alone each day with his lawyers. None of his family members have shown up as he faces 34 felony counts in the hush money case with porn star Stormy Daniels.
And Melania Trump could be a ‘powerful’ part of his defense if she stood by his side.
Mark Bederow, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor for the Manhattan district attorney’s office, told Business Insider that the former first lady could be ‘potentially very powerful’ supporter given the salacious nature of the case.
‘There’s no question that Melania is the most important family member to be there,’ he said.
‘Certainly, if Melania were there supporting him, that potentially sends a message that ‘I support him, I’m OK, I believe, perhaps, this didn’t happen,” Bederow said. ‘I think that can only have a positive impact on the jury.’
Melania Trump has stayed locked behind the closed-doors of Mar-a-Lago, rarely venturing out and only to friendly crowds.
Grenell, ahead of Saturday evening’s fundraiser, wrote on X that Melania Trump “will launch the most aggressive campaign we’ve ever seen from Republicans to win support from gay and lesbian Americans.”
About 70 people from all across the country – California, New York, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C. – attended the event, an organizer told ABC News.
Melania Trump has been with her husband a few times at his political events.
Last month she attended a massive fundraiser for his campaign with him. And she joined him to vote in Florida‘s primary.
At other times, however, her absence spoke volumes.
Melania did not appear beside her husband when he made a fiery speech at Mar-a-Lago after being indicted on federal crimes related to his possession of classified documents going back to his presidency.
She was not there on the night of Super Tuesday, when Trump effectively locked up the Republican presidential nomination.
Ahead of the fundraiser, Melania Trump talked about the importance of unifying the nation.
‘We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American,’ the former first lady told Fox News Digital. ‘Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles, and ultimately establishes our American way.’
‘Together, we must nourish and safeguard the seeds of liberty,’ she continued. ‘Because, when successful, America blossoms into a magnificent place where everyone can practice their beliefs, share new ideas, and express individualism — this is when we are our best.’
