Melania Trump, son Barron make first public appearance post-trial verdict

Melania Trump made her public debut on Tuesday when she was seen leaving her New York City home. This was her first appearance since her husband, Donald Trump, was found guilty of using hush money in his criminal trial.

In images captured by the New York Post, the 54-year-old former first lady can be seen leaving the Trump Tower office with her 18-year-old son, Barron Trump, in tow. 

Melania Trump, according to the newspaper, entered a black Secret Service SUV with at least seven laden Louis Vuitton luggage bags while lowering her head. According to the Post, a number of clothing bags bearing Barron Trump's initials were put into the armored car.

The Post reported that the car headed for the Trumps' nearby Bedminster resort in New Jersey. Since Melania Trump did not appear in court for her husband's high-profile criminal trial, which was held in New York City, questions about her whereabouts have been rife on social media for several weeks.

On May 30, Donald Trump, 77, was found guilty on all 34 felonies related to fabricating company documents in exchange for hush money. 

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The former president was charged with setting up, not long before the 2016 election, the payment of $130,000 by his then-attorney Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence on a sex encounter she claims she had with Donald Trump.

Due to her absence from the trial, the former first lady was spared hearing adult actress Daniels' evidence in which she revealed specifics of her alleged sex encounter with Donald Trump. The meeting, according to Daniels, whose actual name is Stephanie Clifford, took place in 2006, a year after Melania Trump wed the real estate tycoon.

Melania Trump has been spotted sometimes in recent months with her husband, despite her absence from the courtroom. On May 17, The former model and her husband their son Barron's high school graduation in Palm Beach, Florida.

(With inputs from agencies)