Her biggest fashion statement as first lady was a green jacket emblazoned with the words “I really don't care, do u?” More recently, Melania Trump has given the impression that she doesn't care whether her husband, Donald, returns to the White House. That is about to change.
.jpg)
It comes at the end of a week that saw Melania's husband become the first former US president in history to stand criminal trial. The case, involving a hush-money payment by Trump to an adult film performer, would be enough to test any marriage. Yet it seems that the former and possible future first lady is again prepared to campaign for her spouse – up to a point.
It's not going to be in volume but you'll see her at key moments,” said Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump. “She likes to heighten the interest in her appearances by being scarce. It's very intentional, like a movie star who doesn't want exposure. She's hyper-aware of her persona and her celebrity. This is a model who learned to get covers of magazines so she wants to be in control.”
The former Slovenian model, who married Trump in 2005, became only the second foreign-born first lady in US history. She delayed moving to the White House after Trump won the 2016 election because she was renegotiating their prenuptial agreement, according to Jordan's book, and in one notorious incident was seen swatting his hand away. She had a rivalry with Trump's daughter Ivanka. But she came to love the trappings and prestige of being first lady.
Since Trump's defeat in 2020 she has maintained a low profile. Her main public appearances have included a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, a funeral for Trump's older sister and the funeral for her mother, Amalija Knavs. Last year she addressed a naturalization ceremony in Washington, telling new Americans that citizenship means "actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom".