Trump’s household joins him on stage after speech with one member lacking

Donald Trump‘s family surrounded him on stage after he formally accepted the Republican nomination during a marathon speech where he recounted the assassination attempt.

Melania Trump came up behind her bandaged husband on stage then got a kiss on the cheek at the end of a historic night just days after he was shot at a rally.

The former president’s speech started by recounting the moment where he was within a ‘quarter of an inch’ of being killed – then resumed his attacks on President Joe Biden, old enemies and his border and economic policies.

Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, Tiffany and their significant others then came out on stage to cheers from the crowd as balloons fell from the arena’s ceiling and Puccini’s Nessun Dorma played.

The Trump grandkids tossed the red, white, blue and gold balloons around as they bounced on the stage.

But one family member was notably missing: the 6’7′ Barron Trump.

There was no sign of Barron Trump on Thursday, the last night of the Republican National Convention.

Donald Trump mentioned his youngest son during his remarks but Barron was not seated in the family’s box. He was originally selected as a convention delegate from Florida but Melania’s office later announced Barron would not serve as he had a ‘prior commitment.’

His absence was notable, particularly after he attended one of his father’s campaign rallies earlier this month, where he stood and waved to the crowd.

But Don Jr.’s and Eric’s children were present. Kai Trump, 17, addressed the convention on Wednesday night, paying a sweet tribute to her grandfather. 

And Eric’s daughter Carolina, four, stole the show on Thursday when she sat on Donald Trump’s lap while Eric addressed the delegates.

At one point Carolina had her thumb in her mouth as her father spoke.  Her older brother Eric Luke, 6, joined in on cheering on their dad as he sat on mom Lara’s lap.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, basked in the adoration of the delegates after he wrapped up his one hour and 32 minute speech. 

He started off with a dramatic retelling of the assassination attempt on his life but then rambled, going off the teleprompter, to slam Nancy Pelosi and name-check rival Joe Biden.

The delegates in the hall appeared restless with many taking their seats and taking out their phones. A few fell asleep.  

They rallied for the grand finale however, roaring their approval as the Trump family took the stage to wave as balloons rained down around them.

Since the assassination attempt on him on July 13th, Trump has had his family at his side.

Most of them were on hand Thursday night to see him crowned as the Republican presidential nominee. 

His children walked onto the convention floor with him. 

Later, Melania Trump, in a bright red skirt suit by Dior, made a dramatic entrance, walking into the arena to cheers and the music from Beethoven’s symphony no. 9.

She was introduced to the roaring crowd as the future first lady. 

Melania Trump only joined the convention on its last night, taking her seat in the Trump family box shortly before Donald began his remarks. 

Ivanka Trumpand husband Jared Kushner also only attended on Thursday night. The couple joined Don Jr. and Tiffany in the family box to sit with their father while Eric Trump addressed the crowd.

The former president was surrounded by his children and grandchildren as he prepared to address the delegates.

His family – except for Barron – was on hand while he spoke. 

Melania sat quietly during his speech, listening as he described the assassination attempt that nearly took his life. She smiled when he made little jokes but stared at her husband intently as he recounted the horrific event. 

Donald paid tribute to her during his remarks, calling her ‘my amazing wife Melania.’ She stood and waved as the crowd gave her a standing ovation.

‘Melania thank you very much. You also did something very beautiful. A letter to America calling for national unity,’ he said.

He also thanked the rest of his family. 

Melania and Ivanka have stayed away from politics since Donald decided to run for a second term.

But both  Don Jr. – who addressed the convention on Wednesday – and Eric have been surrogates on the campaign trail. Eric’s wife Lara joined the Republican National Committee to help run the former president’s re-election effort.

The family has gathered around its patriarch since an assassin attempted to kill him on July 13th.

Melania Trump, who rarely makes public statements, spoke to the horror when she realized her and son Barron’s life were on the brink of ‘devastating change’ after the hearing the news about her husband’s assassination attempt.

The former first lady called the gunman a ‘monster’ and described the moment she watched the bullet strike her husband’s ear at a Pennsylvania rally in front of thousands of his adoring fans.

‘A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,’ Melania said in an emotional statement on X on Sunday morning.

‘When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.’ 

She called for people to ‘reunite’ and said she is thinking of her fellow Americans.

‘This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence,’ her statement continued. 

‘The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide – thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family.’

After the convention, Trump heads to Detroit for a campaign rally on Saturday. 

Ivanka Trump has said she supports her father but won’t formally campaign for him.

It is unclear when or if Melania Trump will appear on the campaign trail.