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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sian Baldwin

Melania is missing from a Trump family photo but Elon Musk is there

Elon Musk has been hailed as the new First Lady of America after Melania Trump was noticeably absent from the family photo.

The president-elect posed for a photo with his nearest and dearest after he swept to victory in the 2024 race to the White House.

But in his victory gathering, despite most family members appearing by his side, Mr Trump’s wife, Melania, was not there.

One person who was, however, was entrepreneur and Trump supporter Elon Musk, who used his platforms to endorse the Republican in the weeks leading up to polling day.

(AFP via Getty Images)

The billionaire tech mogul – said to be the richest man in the world – stood proudly by Mr Trump’s side in the victory footage, leading to US commentators naming him the new First Lady.

CNN commentator Ana Navarro said: “I think it is a little weird, right? I mean Elon Musk seems to be everywhere at all times. He’s like the Secretary of Everything and, at the same time, he’s like the First Lady. The other day, I saw this picture of him. It was a picture of Trump with his entire family, except Melania, but Elon Musk was there.”

Despite her noticeable absence from the family snap, Melania did take to social media to congratulate her husband on his second term in office, saying they will take the responsibility of the job seriously.

She wrote: “The majority of Americans have entrusted us with this important responsibility. We will safeguard the heart of our republic - freedom. I anticipate the citizens of our nation rejoining in commitment to each other and rising above ideology for the sake of individual liberty, economic prosperity and security.

“American energy, skill and initiative will bring together our best minds to propel our nation forward forevermore.”

She also had previously shared a snippet into their lives in the lead-up to the election result, showing the family support.

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