RACINE, Wis., April 2 (UPI) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said at a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday his wife, Melania, will begin participating in campaign events for the first time.
Trump made the announcement, acknowledging the former model has never been a part of a campaign before.
“She’s going to campaign. She’s never done this before,” Trump said. “So that will be exciting, Melania is coming up.”
Trump’s wife has occasionally spoken at rallies when the candidate has called her up on stage, but she has maintained a relatively low profile in his raucous campaign so far.
She was at the center of a controversy sparked when an anti-Trump super PAC created a Facebook ad showing Melania Trump, who is a former fashion model, posing nude for a photoshoot with GQ magazine.
Trump blamed his rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, for the ad, though Cruz said his campaign had nothing to do with the inflammatory ad. Trump went on to attack Cruz’s wife, Heidi, threatening to “spill the beans” on her. He then circulated a supporter’s unflattering image of Heidi Cruz next to a photo of Melania, with the caption “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Trump has joked in speeches before that Melania encourages him to “act more presidential.”
Trump was introduced at the event by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
