Melania Trump attends first official event after 24-day absence from public eye

The First Lady of the US disappeared from public scrutiny early last month. She was then reported to have gone in for emergency surgery for a benign kidney condition.

Now, 24-days-later, Melania Trump was finally spotted with President Donald Trump. The two attended a private reception on Monday according to CNN.

Melania Trump, 48, was not been seen since May 10, when she went along with President Donald Trump to welcome home three Americans. The captives had been held by North Korea.

Four days later, the White House Communications Director Stephanie Grisham announced that Melania been rushed into emergency surgery. She stayed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was said to likely remain there for the duration of the week.

Since then, the First Lady disappeared from the public eye for 24 days until Monday. She was seen at a private event at the East Room reception.

It was an event for more than 40 Gold Star military families. In a statement Monday night, Melania said it had been a privilege to welcome the military families to the White House.

‘To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you. It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.’

Melania Trump, CNN, June 5, 2018

She also thanked them and other military members for their service. The event was closed to the press, preventing the media from getting photos or video of the First Lady.

Barring the media was done out of respect for the military family members. A person at the event shared that the President made a lighthearted joke about the Melania’s extended absence from public view.

He stated that the media was asking: "Where's Melania? Did she leave him?" Then he pointing out that his wife was, in fact, sitting in the front row.

The joke was meant to be playful but ended up being a bit awkward considering the event was to honor Gold Star families, who had lost loved ones at war. For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa.

Watch this video about the struggles of Melania Trump inside the White House!