10 March 2024 , 08:08
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Donald Trump strolled into the UFC with his daughter Ivanka just hours after addressing supporters at a rally - but mystery deepens as wife Melania was nowhere to be seen.
The former president made his way to the UFC 299 event ahead of the Sean O'Malley-Marklon Vera fight and he was joined by the organisation's founder, Dana White, after addressing a crowd of supporters in Rome, Georgia.
However, wife Melania appeared to the snub the event as fans lauded the Republican presidential nominee with applause while a Kid Rock anthem was blasted over the arena's sound.
READ MORE: Melania Trump makes rare appearance at Donald's side for glam Mar-a-Lago dinner
The pair had cage-side tickets but there was no sign of wife Melania (AFP via Getty Images)It comes as the former First Lady Melania Trump was not in attendance at the former US president's victory speech after a successful Super Tuesday. His sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, however, were in attendance.
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Although Melaina did make a rare appearance at a glamorous Mar-a-Lago dinner alongside her Republican nominee husband. The former First Lady was seen smiling and chatting with guests at as Trump hosted to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who presented Melania with a huge bouquet of flowers to which she seemed surprised as she accepted them jaw-dropped. A smitten Orban later posted to his Instagram page, sharing an image of Melania captioned, 'Pretty Woman'.
The former president came from a rally to watch the event (AFP via Getty Images)Melania has somewhat tried to keep out of the public eye since leaving the White House in January 2021. She has not been seen at either her husband's rallies or his court appearances.
According to Palm Beach Post, while Melania has not been at the rallies or court appearances, she did accompany her husband last month to the Trumpettes gala, also held at the Palm Beach estate. She has been largely absent from her husband's side for political events since November 2022, when she went with him as they cast their ballots at the Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach. She then went with him as he announced his 2024 campaign at Mar-a-Lago a week later.
Melania was last seen in a rare appearance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (No credit)
Melania poses with her huge bouquet of flowers presented to her by the Hungarian Prime Minister (No credit)Despite missing the fight, Trump's supporters were at the UFC event instead including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who was seen in a bright Hawaiian shirt, and pattered him on the back. This is despite him recently backing Nikki Haley's campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.
Sage Steele, a former ESPN host, was also seen talking to Trump and had adhered himself to his supporters for her outspoken at ESPN's Covid-19 vaccination mandate.
Trump visisted four UFC events last year including UFC 287, also in Miami, and UFC 296, in Las Vegas, to watch Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington after both showed their support for the former president. He also went to UFC 290 in Las Vegas and UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden.
"It's the closest thing I can see really reflective of the election process that we have in this country, the UFC fights. That may be a little tamer than the election business…" Trump said at his rally.
"Dana White has done a great job. I hope he doesn't run for office against me. He's done a fantastic job. It's an easier business than politics."