Logo

Melania Trump’s father was front and center at Mar-a-Lago for former President Donald Trump’s fiery speech following his indictment in Manhattan court Tuesday — even though Melania was nowhere to be found.

Viktor Knavs, the 45th commander-in-chief’s father-in-law, stood between Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, and Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, during the primetime address in Florida after Trump had flown back from the Big Apple. 

Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, were also sitting with the rest of the family. 

Barron, Trump’s youngest child and only child with Melania, was also not present, though the teenager usually stays out of the spotlight. 

Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were not in attendance, though a source told The Post Tuesday they were in Wyoming to celebrate Passover — a trip they’ve made in past years.

The two are said to be supporting Trump in private, a person familiar with their whereabouts said. 


  Former President Trump delivers remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 4, 2023. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Former President Trump delivers remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 4, 2023. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Trump ripped Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office slapped Trump with 34 felony counts over allegations that he conspired to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election through hush-money payments.

Prosecutors allege Trump, 76, and others broke election laws when they allegedly schemed to stop the spread of bad news during his successful 2016 campaign, including through payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Melania Trump, who is the GOP firebrand’s third wife, was noticeably absent.


  Viktor Knavs (third from left), Trump’s father-in-law, stood between Eric Trump’s wife, Lara, and Donald Trump Jr. AP/Evan Vucci Viktor Knavs (third from left), Trump’s father-in-law, stood between Eric Trump’s wife, Lara, and Donald Trump Jr. AP/Evan Vucci

It’s unclear why she wasn’t in attendance.

Viktor Knavs entered the US from Slovenia with his wife, Amalija, and both became American citizens during Trump’s presidency in 2018.

They were previously living in the US as permanent residents.

Follow The Post’s coverage on Trump’s indictment

The Knavses raised Melania in a rural industrial town while Slovenia was under Communist rule.

Viktor was a car dealer and Amalija worked in a textile factory.

On Tuesday he watched as Trump, a 2024 GOP contender for the Oval Office, railed against his unprecedented arrest and arraignment and insisted Bragg is the real “criminal.”


  Trump’s son Barron and wife Melania were not present for his speech. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Trump’s son Barron and wife Melania were not present for his speech. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

“The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” Trump said.

He also complained that Bragg “campaigned on the fact that he would ‘get’ President Trump — ‘I’m gonna get him, I’m gonna get him’ — this is a guy campaigning … this, before he knew anything about me.”

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy