Donald Trump would be a president promoting the values of compassion and charity, his wife has said in a rare campaign appearance.

Speaking in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Thursday — a traditionally Democrat state key for Mr Trump’s success — it was Ms Trump’s first campaign appearance since the Republican Party convention in July when she lifted parts of her speech from first lady Michelle Obama.

“‘Make America Great Again’ is not just some slogan, it is what has been in his heart since the day I met him,” she said in her speech in Philadelphia.

Mr Trump described the Republican candidate’s frustration as he saw factories closing and workers suffering, saying he is moved by the plight of ordinary Americans and wants to help fix the country’s problems.

Ms Trump has sought in the past to soften her husband’s image, and this speech was no exception, with the would-be First Lady telling voters that her husband respects all Americans and promised that as president he would promote values of compassion and charity across the country.

Ms Trump has been engaged by the campaign in an effort to extend the momentum Mr Trump has experienced in recent days to sway undecided voters and sceptical female voters.

Watch the Melania Trump speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrb845DkHqs

Clinton also heading to Philadelphia

Ms Clinton’s campaign announced that she will hold her final rally Monday in Philadelphia joined by party luminaries, including President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama along with husband, former president Bill Clinton, and daughter Chelsea Clinton.

Ms Trump’s speech was seen as a bid to appeal to suburban women turned off by her husband’s crass remarks and treatment of women, including alleged sexual assaults against nearly a dozen people.

Thursday’s speech sought to humanise her husband as being moved by the suffering of ordinary Americans and described her respect for the United States’ freedoms after her childhood in a communist country.

She also spoke of her primary role raising their 10-year-old son Barron and similarities with other Americans despite the family’s wealth.

“I want my little boy to know he has been blessed to be born in a country that values individual freedom and constitutional democracy,” she said.

She said that if she becomes first lady she will advocate on behalf of children hurt by online bullying and women in poverty.

“We must treat each other with respect and kindness even when we disagree,” she said, without directly addressing the negative tone of the campaign.

She also did not address the allegations of sexual assault against Mr Trump.