Ivanka Trump Fills First Lady's Role at White House Event While Melania Trump Remains Out of Sight

Ivanka Trumphelped her father host a “White House Sports and Fitness Day” event on Wednesday, while First LadyMelania Trumpwasnowhere to be seenfor the 20th straight day.

Trump gave opening remarks at the event, where he expressed his gratitude to daughter Ivanka, saying, “thanks also to Ivanka for her leadership in refocusing the Council. She’s worked so hard on this. She works hard on everything, actually.”

“She really, she’s helping to bring together all these amazing leaders and athletes who will work to break down barriers to youth sports participation and empower each child to reach his or her full potential through sport and through play,” he also said before turning around to give his daughter a hug.

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Meanwhile, the first lady — who has not made a public appearance in nearly three weeks — was not present at the event, althoughshe tweeted while her husband was speaking at the event to squash conspiracy theories about her unusually long disappearancefollowing a “successful”kidney procedureon May 14.

“I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I’m doing. Rest assured, I’m here at the @WhiteHousew my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!” she tweeted Wednesday afternoon, presumably from the First Family’s second-floor private quarters while her husband, stepdaughter Ivanka, hundreds of visitors and dozens of White House reporters were assembled on the South Lawn just feet below.

After remaining hospitalized for the rest of the week, the first ladyreturned homeon May 19, but has been completely out of the spotlight, which theWashington Postnotes is an “unusually long absence” for even the most private of presidential spouses.

Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, told PEOPLE on Tuesday that Mrs. Trump “has been involved in several internal meetings with staff all last week, and that continues this week. We’ve been going over initiatives and other long term planning for events such as the Congressional Picnic and 4th of July.”

The field day event, held on the South Lawn of the White House, was part of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition’s efforts to address declining participation in youth sports in the United States.

PresidentDonald Trump, 71, along with his daughter and senior advisor, 36, hosted more than 250 children, parents and coaching staff at the event, as well as notables such as Olympic volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, former NFL star Herschel Walker, actor Lou Ferrigno and retired MLB stars Mariano Rivera and Johnny Damon.

Trump and his daughter strolled around the stations at the event, cheering on children as they played flag football, baseball, golf and soccer. The president, who has remained an avid golfer since taking office, even took a few swings himself at the golf station, striking the ball at least once.

Asked on a conference call Tuesday whether the first lady would typically host Wednesday’s sports and fitness field day, Ivanka told PEOPLE that presidents have always hosted such events in the past, and it’s “appropriate” that her father would continue that tradition.

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The Associated Pressreportedthat subsequent presidents have often refocused the council on their own new priorities.

Trump issued an executive order in February shifting the council’s emphasis to youth sports, as opposed to PresidentBarack Obama’s focus on fitness and healthy eating, the Associated Pressreported.

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She also took part in events, where shehula-hoopedand jumped rope to highlight ways to fight childhood obesity.

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First LadyBarbara Bushalso co-hosted the events at the White House of her husband’s council whenGeorge H.W. Bushwas president from 1989 to 1993.

source: people.com