Melania Trump took a step back from Christmas festivities in 2023 to help care for her sick mother, Amalija Knavs. The former first lady was notably absent from that year’s Trump family Christmas photo, as well as family events held at Mar-a-Lago. Former President Trump acknowledged her absence at a New Year’s Eve party at the Florida resort (via the Daily Mail), admitting (in his typical fashion): “Melania — great First Lady, so popular, the people love her — she’s now in a hospital with her mother. Her mother, Amalija, is very ill, but hopefully she’ll be recovering.”
Donald revealed that Knavs was receiving treatment at a Miami hospital while Melania remained by her side. “Hopefully they’ll be ok, but it’s a tough one, it’s a very tough one,” he added. “She knows probably about 95% of the people in this room. We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible.” Knavs and her husband, Viktor, reside at Mar-a-Lago alongside their daughter and the former president.
Donald remained in cheery spirits despite the news of his mother-in-law, telling the crowd to gear up for early voting in Iowa and New Hampshire despite the multiple federal indictments against him. “We are going to have a great 2024. We are going to make America great again!” he told partygoers during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
