EXCLUSIVEMelania Trump stuns in $4,000 dress and red stilettos in rare appearance as she raises $1.4million at lavish Manhattan fundraiser... while husband Donald lays low after the debate
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Melania Trump dazzled in a $4,000 red Valentino dress on Monday night when she hosted a political fundraiser in New York while Donald Trump continues to lay low after his debate with Joe Biden.
The former first lady stunned in the sheath dress and red patent leather So Kate Christian Louboutin pumps, as seen in exclusive photos from Dailymail.com.
It was a rare appearance by Melania, coming as she hosted an intimate group at Trump Tower to raise money for the Log Cabin Republicans, the largest conservative LGBTQ+ organization.
Her hard to miss appearance came as her husband stayed behind closed doors in the aftermath of the first presidential debate, where Joe Biden bombed so badly many Democrats called on him to exit from the race.
Melania Trump dazzled in a red dress at a fundraiser in New York City
The former president did call in to Fox News' Sean Hannity on Monday night. And he's been active on his Truth Social account. Tuesday evening he will hold a rally at Trump Doral, his Miami golf club.
But otherwise he disappeared from the national stage with his advisers saying he is sitting back to watch the Democratic chaos.
Melania, meanwhile, was in New York to hold her second fundraiser of the year for Log Cabin Republicans.
She opened up the Trumps' private penthouse for the event. Their home takes up three floors of Trump Tower.
Guests including former Trump White House official Kellyanne Conway, former Senator Kelly Loeffler, businessman Bryan Eure and his husband Bill White, former acting director of U.S. National Intelligence Richard Grenell, and philanthropists Nazee and Joseph Moinian.
The event raised $1.4 million, Grenell announced on X.
'.@MelaniaTrump opened her NYC Penthouse tonight to raise money for @LogCabinGOP. It’s the first campaign event ever held at the Trump residence. And we raised $1.4 million in one night. Our goal is to get 50% of the gay vote for Donald Trump,' Grenell wrote.
Charles Moran, the head of the group, called the evening an 'amazingly spectacular event.'
Kellyanne Conway was one of the guests' at Melania's fundraiser
The former first lady wore a $4,000 Valentino dress
Former acting director of U.S. National Intelligence Richard Grenell (center) with businessman Bryan Eure and his husband Bill White
For the occasion, Melania opted to rewear a dress she had worn before. She first donned the sleeveless red crepe midi dress by Valentino, estimated at $4,000, in April 2017 when she and then-President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago.
Red is a lucky color in China.
The first event that Melania hosted for Log Cabin Republicans was held in April at the Trumps' Mar-a-Lago estate.
At that time, she pushed for 'equality for all' in her remarks to the crowd.
Monday night marked a rare political appearance by the former first lady.
She did not attend the first presidential debate. She has yet to attend a political event for her husband this year - a stark contrast to Jill Biden who campaigns regularly for Joe Biden and rushed to his side onstage after the debate.
Former Senator Kelly Loeffler was among the attendees of the lavish fundraiser in Manhattan alongside Trump's longtime friend Bill White
Melania Trump has made few public appearances for her husband's presidential campaign
Melania rewore a red Valentino dress she originally wore in April 2017 when she and then-President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd left) and his wife Peng Liyuan (left) at Mar-a-Lago
Melania Trump has rarely showed public support for her husband as he seeks a second term in the White House.
She joined Trump when he announced his 2024 presidential bid in November of last year. But, otherwise, she only appeared at one fundraiser for his campaign and went to vote with her husband in Florida's primary.
'Stay tuned,' she told reporters when asked if she'd campaign for Trump.
But it's unclear what she meant by that.
She was last seen in public in New York City in late June, leaving Trump Tower, beating the heat in a summer skirt and white shirt.
Melania and Donald Trump were last seen in public together in May at Barron's high school graduation.
