Donald Trump had company in the Oval Office again on Friday. Natalie Harp, his ever-present aide, stood nearby wearing a smile, arriving just a day after news broke that Melania Trump would reportedly not be at his side for next week’s Republican convention.
Natalie Harp returns to Donald Trump’s Oval Office as Melania Trump plans to miss the GOP convention
Cameras caught Natalie Harp grinning while Donald Trump fielded questions from reporters before leaving for a holiday weekend at his New Jersey golf property. Her appearance drew notice largely because of timing: it landed right after word spread that the first lady would sit out the party’s upcoming midterm gathering.
A White House official told The Washington Examiner that Melania has no plans to travel to Dallas for the September 9-10 event. Organizers had initially penciled Trump in to speak only on the second day, but they added a first appearance too, hoping the extra date would draw a bigger crowd.
The first lady isn’t the only notable absence. The Daily Beast reports that just two Republican lawmakers from competitive districts have committed to showing up. Politico’s count runs even higher: at least 45 GOP members of Congress say they won’t attend, pointing to everything from family weddings and dove-hunting trips to touring colleges with their kids. A $25,000 ticket price didn’t help matters either, and several lawmakers said they’d rather spend the time knocking on doors back home.
Set at Dallas’s American Airlines Center, the two-day event is billed as a showcase for the administration’s first 19 months in power and a rallying point heading into a tough midterm cycle. Donald Trump headlines both days; sponsors and attendees can reportedly pay $88,600 for a roundtable seat or $250,000 for a photo opportunity with him.
Skipping the convention keeps Melania on a familiar path. Public sightings of the first lady have grown sparse throughout her husband’s time back in office. Her most recent appearance came August 23 at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington.
