Melania and Ivanka Reunite in Surprise Appearance with Trump to Ring NYSE Opening Bell
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump made a rare joint appearance at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) alongside President-elect Donald Trump to ring the opening bell, marking a significant moment in Trump’s journey as he was recently named TIME‘s 2024 Person of the Year.
The event was a celebration of Trump’s milestone, as it marked his first time opening stock trading and highlighted his roots as a real estate mogul in New York. Also present was Tiffany Trump, the youngest of Donald Trump’s children, who is expecting her first child.
She stood next to Ivanka during the ceremony, while Vice President-elect JD Vance positioned himself between Melania and Ivanka. This was not Melania Trump’s first time ringing the bell at the NYSE. As First Lady in 2019, she rang the bell to promote her ‘Be Best’ initiative.
Donald Trump humorously acknowledged his wife’s previous participation, saying she had “beat him to it” and was “very popular” in her role. During the bell-ringing, Melania and Ivanka stood apart as NYSE traders cheered and chanted, “USA, USA, USA.” TIME CEO Jessica Sibley stood between the two women, symbolizing the magazine’s recognition of Trump’s profound impact.
In his remarks, Donald Trump thanked TIME Magazine and NYSE Chairman Jeff Sprecher, reflecting on his legacy, including his first term in office. He expressed confidence in restoring America’s economy, listing issues such as inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel conflict, and declared, “When we left, we didn’t have any of these problems. We had a very strong economy. And we will do that again.”
This marks Trump’s second TIME Person of the Year title, having first received it in 2016 after his initial presidential win. He joins a distinguished group of 13 U.S. presidents who have been awarded the title, including Joe Biden in 2020. The honor is given to the person who has had the biggest impact on the world, for better or worse.
The event also drew attention to the relationship between Melania and Ivanka, which has been historically tense. Reports from Trump’s first administration mentioned clashes, including Ivanka’s failed attempt to claim office space in the East Wing, according to Daily Mail.
The two women rarely appeared together during that time, fueling speculation about their dynamic. Both have distanced themselves from Trump’s campaign this time, attending only key events like the Republican National Convention. They are expected to reunite again in January for Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
