Where were Ivanka and Melania amid Trump's Mar-a-Lago supporters?

Where are Ivanka and Melania? Trump’s children Eric, Tiffany and Don Jr. support dad during Mar-a-Lago post-indictment speech – however some of the ex-president’s clan are notably absent

• Donald Trump’s children Don Jr, Eric and Tiffany were present on Tuesday night at Mar-a-Lago for his speech after being arrested and arraigned in Manhattan
• There was no sign of his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, or his wife Melania, or their son Barron, 17 
• Other famous faces included Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz and Kari Lake, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of Arizona 

Donald Trump’s family and friends gathered at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night hours after his indictment to show their support – with the notable exception of his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka.

His sons Don Jr and Eric and daughter Tiffany were in the audience, with their partners.

But Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner – who both worked in the White House – skipped the event, as did Melania Trump and their son Barron, 17. 

Their absence was all the more glaring given that they live in Florida – in Melania’s case, upstairs from the ballroom where the event was held.

Melania Trump, 52, was last seen at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday evening, the night after her husband was indicted. The couple dined with supporters at their usual table on the terrace. 

Donald Trump Jr is seen at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night with his fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle

Eric Trump is seen at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening with his wife Lara

Eric and Lara Trump applaud on Tuesday evening at his father speaks

Tiffany Trump is seen with her husband Michael Boulos. The pair married at Mar-a-Lago in November

Donald Trump is seen on Tuesday night speaking from Mar-a-Lago

Ivanka, 41, has remained largely silent about her father’s indictment – unlike her brothers Don Jr and Eric.

She issued a statement on Thursday saying: ‘I love my father and I love my country. Today I am pained for both.

‘I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.’

Her husband, Jared Kushner, however, suggested on Friday that the indictment proved that Democrats ‘fear’ the ‘political strength’ of his father-in-law.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Florida, Kushner told the crowd: ‘It’s been hard to watch the opponents of him politically continue to break every norm over the last [few] years to try to get to him.

‘I’ve been by him during a lot of these instances and it’s only made him stronger and his resolve to take on big challenges to fight for change.’

It has since been reported that Ivanka is ‘no longer talking’ to her father.

‘Even though Ivanka loves her dad, she knows how impossible he can be,’ an unnamed source familiar with the family told People.

He said she is now focused on ‘recreating her business life and raising her children, which are her priorities.’

And, the source said, Ivanka is acutely aware there is nothing she can do to help her father with the charges against him.

‘Donald does what he wants and she can’t help him now,’ he said. 

‘His help is in the hands of his lawyers and advisers. She is no longer working in that capacity.’ 

In his speech on Tuesday night, Trump singled out all five of his children for praise.

‘I have a son here who’s done a great job, and another who’s done a great job.

‘And Tiffany, and Ivanka.’

He referenced his son Barron, saying he ‘will do a good job’, and joked: ‘He’s certainly tall.’ 

He added: ‘They’ve gone through hell.’

Melania Trump was last seen on Thursday evening, at an event at Mar-a-Lago, their Florida home. She chose not to attend Tuesday’s speech in the ballroom

The Trumps can be seen dining among Mar-a-Lago guests on Thursday night (left, with their backs to the camera): Melania’s red dress is visible, as is the former president’s distinctive hair

Marjorie Taylor Greene is seen at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night

Matt Gaetz and wife Ginger Luckey are seen at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday

Kari Lake, center, is seen with other Trump supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday

Mike Lindell, best known as ‘The My Pillow Guy’, is seen at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night

Roger Stone, who was pardoned by Trump, is seen inside the ballroom on Tuesday night standing in front of the stage

Trump’s supporters were in a festive mood on Tuesday night at Mar-a-Lago

Trump is seen with his supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night

Trump is seen in court on Tuesday in a sketch illustrating the arraignment

Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over Trump’s arraignment, is seen on Tuesday in court

The Trumps were accompanied by a throng of their most fervent supporters – among them the My Pillow founder, Mike Lindell, and conservative political operative Roger Stone. 

Kari Lake, who failed in November to be elected as governor of Arizona, was also at the gathering, as was Marjorie Taylor Greene, who appeared in Manhattan on Tuesday morning to support Trump, but was heckled so much she was unable to deliver her planned speech.

Florida congressman Matt Gaetz was also present, with his wife Ginger Luckey. 

There was a festive atmosphere in the ballroom, with Trump’s supporters energized by Tuesday’s proceedings.

Trump’s legal team dismissed the indictment as ‘sad’, arguing that it amounted to nothing and would not have even been filed were it not for Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s wish to charge the former president. 

Trump used his speech to rail against Bragg and his prosecutorial team, accusing them of embarking on a politically-motivated witch hunt. 

He said the case was ‘Third World’, and baseless.

Trump also attacked other prosecutors looking into his activities – singling out Jack Smith, appointed by the Justice Department to investigate attempts to overturn the 2020 election and handling of classified documents.

Trump said Smith was ‘a lunatic’. 

He concluded his speech at 8:50pm, saying: ‘I have no doubt we will make America great again.’ 

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