Melania Trump breaks silence on speculation around her disappearance with sharp response

Melania Trump has finally spoken out publicly, after concerns had been raised about her whereabouts.

The First Lady hadn't been pictured out and about since her last appearance at the World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where she was pictured alongside Donald.

TV host Jimmy Fallon discussed her apparent disappearance on his show on Monday, August 17, noting it had been 29 days since she was seen publicly.

He said: “Over the weekend, President Trump made a campaign stop in Long Island and Melania Trump did not travel with him."

“Yeah, people have noticed she’s been laying low. In fact, she hasn’t been seen in public for 29 days.”

He quipped: “Trump heard and was like, ‘Big deal. I haven’t seen her in private for two years.’”

Speculation had been rife about Melania's whereabouts (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Melania appeared hand-in-hand with her husband at the White House's Rose Garden to celebrate Melania's 'Fostering the Future' initiative.

Clad in a light blue shirt and a red pencil skirt, she gave a speech to those in attendance, and addressed the furore around her disappearance.

"I heard you missed me? Here I am!" she announced, before welcoming everyone.

'Fostering the Future graduates will build new companies, launch new industries, and redefine what is possible for all Americans,' Melania declared. 'Fostering the Future is more than an educational initiative; it is generational investment in America's talents pipeline.'

Many critics had noted how Donald's aide, Natalie Harp, appears to travel everywhere with the President, while Melania was nowhere to be seen.

According to the Daily Mail, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia made a sharp remark claiming the President would rather 'build his ballroom and travel with Natalie' than do his job.

Following his comments, Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman told Tyla: "Natalie Harp is one of the most loyal and hardest working aides on President Trump's team."

The White House insisted last month that the First Lady has actually just been very busy working behind the scenes instead, focusing her efforts on children who need help, rather than posing for the camera.

A White House Representative told the press that Melania has spent her time helping to arrange reunifications for Ukrainian and Russian children.

She has been helping to bring them back to their families, after they became separated by the war.

Critics examined the body language between the pair (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

Five children were reunited in the latest round, according to her office, the another child was reunited in mid-August.

This brings the total reunions to 34.

Fans shared their delight at the First Lady making an appearance.

"Queen Melania, so good to see you, welcome back we all missed you!" gushed one.

"So good to see her!" added another.

However, critics quipped: "Making her bi-annual contracted appearance", and others noted the couple didn't kiss.

"Love the pat on her shoulder" noted one.

"No kiss on the cheek?" said someone else.

Whether she will be seen more publicly or chooses to work behind the scenes remains to be seen.