All eyes were on Trump's assistant - and then Melania appeared: "I heard you missed me"

After more than a month without a public appearance, Melania Trump returned alongside President Trump at the White House Rose Garden for an event promoting the "Fostering the Future" initiative. The return came during a week when the American media focused on Natalie Harp, the president's personal assistant, and her close relationship with him. Melania did not address the reports and focused on the education program.

After more than a month without a public appearance, Melania Trump returned alongside President Trump at the White House Rose Garden. The event was aimed at promoting the First Lady's "Fostering the Future" initiative, which helps young people leaving the foster care system. Melania announced that Fox Corporation and the IndyCar racing organization would jointly donate two million dollars for scholarships at Indiana and Purdue universities, and that the number of participating institutions in the program would increase to 26. Melania's return came during a week when the American media focused on Natalie Harp, President Trump's personal assistant, and her close relationship with him. The New York Times reported that the intensity of Harp's loyalty caused discomfort among some White House staff. In a personal letter to Trump, she wrote that she wants "everything to always be okay between us," and ended with the words: "From the bottom of my heart, Natalie." According to the newspaper, Trump himself has described Harp to associates as the only person who loves him as much as his wife and children. The publications contain no evidence of a romantic relationship between the two, and the White House rejects attempts to imply such. In another letter from Harp revealed by the Daily Beast, she called the president "my guardian and protector." Against the backdrop of this media buzz, the joint appearance of the Trumps drew attention beyond the official topic of the event. The president arrived at the Rose Garden holding Melania's hand, accompanied her to the podium, and patted her back afterward. The First Lady, for her part, did not address Harp or the reports, preferring to focus on her education program.