Melania Trump ramping up campaign involvement despite absence from Friday event

Since her husband declared his candidacy for the White House last year, Melania Trump has been the subject of much speculation as to the level of involvement she might have on the campaign trail this time around.

Though some eyebrows were raised by Mrs. Trump's absence at an award presentation in her honor on Friday, as Newsweek noted, her subsequent appearance at a blockbuster fundraiser likely quelled rumors about any lack of interest in helping her spouse return to the Oval Office.

Melania absent for award

The rumor mill began churning again on Friday when, during a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan was on hand to present Mrs. Trump with a “Child Advocacy Award,” but the recipient herself was not in attendance.

Homan told those in attendance, “We wanted to take this opportunity, I know the first lady couldn't get here, but we wanted to give Melania Trump the Child Advocacy Award because she did so much for children when she was first lady.”

Mrs. Trump's husband, however, was happy to accept the award in her stead, surely proud of the recognition his wife received for her ongoing endeavors on behalf of young people.

Not gone for long

Those hoping that Melania Trump will be a significant presence in her husband's campaign, however, need not have worried, as the very next day, she made a notable appearance at a blockbuster fundraiser said to have brought in a record-breaking sum exceeding $50 million, as ABC News noted.

Hosted at the Florida home of billionaire John Paulson, the event marked the second time Mrs. Trump has joined her husband for a public, campaign-related appearance in the current cycle.

She also accompanied the former president to a polling place on the day of the Sunshine State's presidential primary, suggesting that the nation “stay tuned” to learn more about her plans for campaign involvement.

More to come

The massive fundraising event over the weekend appears to be the first of what could be a series of notable appearances from Mrs. Trump in the coming weeks, as Fox News reports.

Already on the docket for later this month is the former first lady's planned attendance at a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, the most-recognized pro-LGBT Republican group in the nation.

The event is designed to serve as a rollout for the organization's “Road to Victory” initiative designed to boost turnout in all-important swing states this fall.

Fans and followers of Mrs. Trump will surely be looking forward to the infusion of glamour and excitement her presence on the campaign trail inevitably promises, and based on current signs, they will not be disappointed.