The White House announced Sunday that first lady Melania Trump will not join President Trump on upcoming trips, leading to speculation about where she has been for the last 24 days, and questions about whether she’s okay.
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s communications director, told ABC News Sunday that Melania Trump would not travel with President Trump to the G7 Summit later this week in Quebec or to his meeting with Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12. People on social media have speculated about the reason for her 24-day absence from the public eye, with some cracking jokes and others showing concern.
You can tell Trump misses Melania, wherever she is – today he asked Mike Pence to swat away his hand.
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) June 3, 2018
Melania still hasn’t been seen. 22 days. It seems ominous. Maybe she just drunk-cut her own bangs and doesn’t want to upset her fans. I’ve done that plenty of times!!!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 3, 2018
I knew it. #WhereIsMelanie pic.twitter.com/iMm461Ygk1
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) June 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/andylassner/status/1003016397180375041
Don’t worry folks. Melania is fine. They’re probably just reminding her how to play well with others. pic.twitter.com/qwlyNneX0P
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Zoe_of_Elyon/status/1003401899163279360
I think she might have a serious health problem. I know this will invite more jokes — but I’m concerned it might be something serious.
– Karee Wallach (@kareetherapy) June 3, 2018
It’s now been 24 days since Melania Trump was last seen in public. This is NOT normal. What the hell is going on??#WhereIsMelania
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) June 3, 2018
Something lost about @FLOTUS in all of this Twitter talk…she is intensely private (yes, even though she's a Trump). People close to her have often told me of how stubborn she can be about things like this. A simple statement could end speculation but she refuses to give in.
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) June 3, 2018
The first lady was last seen on May 10, which was three days after she introduced her anti-bullying campaign and four days before it was announced she was having kidney surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center. The White House gave no explanation as to why her hospital stay was five days.
On May 30, the first lady attempted to put rumors to rest. “I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I’m doing,” she tweeted. “Rest assured, I’m here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.