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By Gabe Whisnant and Leonardo Feldman
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First lady Melania Trump was absent from two high-profile Washington events in recent days: Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral on Tuesday and the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner last Friday.
President Donald Trump attended both events, including delivering remarks at Graham's funeral, but the first lady did not appear alongside him.
When reached for comment by Newsweek on Tuesday, the first lady's press office and the White House declined to address Melania Trump's absence from the events. A White House spokesperson previously told Fox News that the first lady had a prior commitment that prevented her from attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
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Following Graham's death, Melania Trump issued a statement praising the longtime senator's public service.
"I am saddened by the unexpected passing of Senator Graham," she said. "Lindsey devoted his life to the service of our nation, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his duties. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his enduring legacy."
At Graham's funeral, the president was seated with Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with his son, Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were also among the high-profile attendees.
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Threat Emerges Amid Questions About First Lady's Absences
The high-profile absences come as the U.S. Secret Service told Newsweek Monday it is aware of an Iran-linked video targeting Melania Trump and indicated that threats directed at people under its protection are reviewed by the agency.
"The Secret Service is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees," Nate Herring, a lead public affairs specialist with the U.S. Secret Service's Communications and Media Relations office, told Newsweek on Monday.
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The statement came after reports emerged of a video circulated through an Iranian state-linked media channel that targeted the first lady. The material is the latest example of rhetoric directed at President Trump and his family amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
"Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence," Herring added.
There is no public indication that Melania Trump's absences from Graham's funeral or the White House Correspondents' Dinner were connected to the reported Iranian threat, and officials have not linked the matters.
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When Were Melania Trump's Last Public Appearances?
Melania Trump's most recent public appearance appears to have been at the FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, when she joined President Trump and their son Barron at the championship match.
The first lady was also seen at Trump's July 4 "Salute to America 250" celebration on the National Mall.
She joined Trump at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn in June, sitting ringside with members of the Trump family and UFC President Dana White during the historic event.
Melania Trump attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April before the event was cut short by a security scare triggered by gunfire outside the venue. Secret Service agents escorted President Trump, Melania Trump and other top officials from the ballroom, and the dinner was later rescheduled for July 24. Melania Trump was absent from Friday's makeup event in Washington.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.
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