President Trump and Melania head to Nashville for debate

Melania Trump donned a sleek black dress to accompany her husband, President Donald Trump, to Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday for the final presidential debate after recovering from her lingering COVID-19 symptoms. 

The couple put on an affectionate display as they held hands and smiled while boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House ahead of the event held at the Curb Event Center.   

Melania, who has yet to hit the campaign trail following her speech at the Republican National Convention, cut a stylish figure in her sleeveless Christian Dior frock, which she paired with a slim black belt that cinched her waist. 

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump held hands as they headed to Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday for the final presidential debate 

The smiling couple put on an affectionate display as they walked across the South Lawn of the White House

The smiling couple put on an affectionate display as they walked across the South Lawn of the White House 

The 50-year-old First Lady paired the minimalist midi frock with class black pumps and a pair of oversized black sunglasses. 

The former model’s highlighted brown hair was styled loosely around her shoulders, and she stuck with her signature makeup: dark, smokey eyeshadow and a pink lip. 

Melania and President Trump held hands as they walked across the South Lawn of the White House with smiles on their faces. 

They were still holding hands when they stepped off Marine One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and walked across the tarmac to board Air Force One. 

The trip was the first time Melania has been out publicly since she was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month.    

Melania looked sleek in a sleeveless Christian Dior frock and black pumps

Melania looked sleek in a sleeveless Christian Dior frock and black pumps

It was Melania's first public outing since she recovered from COVID-19

It was Melania’s first public outing since she recovered from COVID-19

Fans took pictures and waved American flags as they stepped out of the White House

Fans took pictures and waved American flags as they stepped out of the White House 

Melania reached for her husband's hand before boarding Marine One together

Melania reached for her husband’s hand before boarding Marine One together 

Melania canceled her trip to Pennsylvania on Tuesday night to campaign with President Trump hours before she was due to travel, citing a ‘lingering cough’ after her battle with COVID.

‘Mrs. Trump continues to feel better every day following her recovery from COVID-19, but with a lingering cough, and out of an abundance of caution, she will not be traveling today,’ her chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

Tuesday’s campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, was to be her first public appearance since her bout with coronavirus.

President Trump was asked how she was doing when he did a telephone interview with ‘Fox & Friends’ on Tuesday morning. 

At one point, Melania affectionately rested her hand on President Trump's lower back

At one point, Melania affectionately rested her hand on President Trump’s lower back 

The First Lady had a smile on her face as she turned her head to speak to her husband

The First Lady had a smile on her face as she turned her head to speak to her husband 

Melania was beaming as Trump gave one last wave before boarding Marine One

Melania was beaming as Trump gave one last wave before boarding Marine One 

‘She’s doing great,’ he said. 

Melania has a limited campaign schedule ahead of the 2020 presidential election. 

The First Lady spoke on the second night of the Republican National Convention from the White House Rose Garden, but that was her last public campaign event this year. 

She was also diagnosed with COVID-19 at the same time as the president, but recovered in the White House residence, using rest and vitamins.

Melania announced last week she had recovered from the virus. 

The couple was still holding hand when they stepped off Marine One at Joint Base Andrews

The couple was still holding hand when they stepped off Marine One at Joint Base Andrews 

The wind blew through Melania's hair as they walked across the tarmac to board Air Force One

The wind blew through Melania’s hair as they walked across the tarmac to board Air Force One

President Trump held up his fist to fans as Melania waved in the background

President Trump held up his fist to fans as Melania waved in the background 

Melania gave one last wave as her husband entered the door of the aircraft

Melania gave one last wave as her husband entered the door of the aircraft 

Unlike the president, she didn’t check into the hospital after her diagnosis with COVID. She said she had minimal symptoms but admitted it hit her like a ‘roller coaster.’ 

She also said she treated herself with a ‘natural route’ — opting for vitamins and healthy food — indicating she did not take a heavy course of medication as the president did for his illness.

‘I was very fortunate as my diagnosis came with minimal symptoms, though they hit me all at once and it seemed to be a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after,’ she wrote in an essay published on the White House’s website.

‘I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time. I chose to go a more natural route in terms of medicine, opting more for vitamins and healthy food.’