Melania Trump, enigmatic first lady who might do it differently this time

Melania Trump is set to become the First Lady of the United States for a second time after her husband’s recent election victory. Following the significant election night, Melania took to social media to share her thoughts with the nation. She stated, 'The majority of Americans have entrusted us with this important responsibility. ' In her message, she emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom and called on Americans to rise above political differences for the good of the country. Although her message was brief, it hinted at a potential change in how she plans to approach her role as First Lady this time around. During her husband’s first term in 2016, Melania was notably absent from the White House, choosing instead to remain in New York with their young son. She often appeared hesitant to embrace the traditional roles that previous First Ladies had taken on. However, experts believe that this time, Melania will likely adopt a more intentional and proactive approach to her role, which has often been seen as undefined. Born Melanija Knavs in Slovenia, the 54-year-old former fashion model left behind a glamorous life in Manhattan’s Trump Tower to step into the political spotlight that comes with the Oval Office, a position that was frequently surrounded by controversy. Some have described her as an 'enigma,' as she has chosen to maintain a lower public profile compared to her predecessors, delivering fewer speeches both in the White House and during campaign events. Tammy Vigil, an associate professor of communications at Boston University and author of a book on both Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, remarked, 'She’s been unique among modern first ladies. ' Melania has a distinct way of doing things, often choosing her own path rather than following established norms, yet she still meets the basic expectations of the role. In recent years, she has kept a low profile while her husband faced various legal challenges during his campaign for a second term. This absence led to numerous articles questioning her whereabouts, with many asking, 'Where is Melania? ' However, she made a notable appearance alongside her husband on Election Night, smiling and supporting him as he declared victory. Melania also attended significant events, such as when her husband announced his candidacy for the presidency again. She wore a striking red Christian Dior suit but opted not to deliver a speech, which is a departure from the traditional role of First Ladies. When she does speak, her words are often carefully chosen, providing subtle insights into her perspective. At a rally just weeks before the election, she made concise yet impactful remarks that aligned with her husband’s campaign message focused on law and order, describing New York City as a 'great metropolis' facing challenges due to rising crime rates. Following the first assassination attempt on her husband, she called for unity and labeled the assailant a 'monster. ' In a rare interview on Fox, she later accused political opponents and the media of creating a 'toxic atmosphere' that contributed to the attack. In her recent memoir, Melania expressed her pro-choice stance, which puts her at odds with anti-abortion activists within the Republican Party. This revelation sparked speculation, especially given the timing, as her husband struggled to campaign on the issue after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In her book, she discussed her modeling career, her admiration for her husband, and their past political disagreements, but she chose to keep the details of those disputes private. Nevertheless, she has publicly supported her husband on controversial issues, including his unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. 'I am not the only person who questions the results,' she wrote in her memoir. Regarding the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021, she stated that she 'wasn't aware' of the events unfolding because she was focused on her duties. Her former press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, later revealed in her own memoir that Melania refused to issue a statement condemning the violence, which ultimately led to Grisham’s resignation. One of the most controversial moments during her time as First Lady was when she wore a jacket with the phrase 'I really don’t care, do you? ' while visiting a migrant child detention center in 2018. This sparked significant media attention and criticism. Some commentators have questioned whether Melania truly enjoyed her role as First Lady. One of her biographers, former CNN reporter Kate Bennett, believes she did enjoy it, despite her initial reluctance. 'She liked all the accoutrements that go with being First Lady and living in the White House,' Bennett told People magazine in 2021. In her memoir, Melania expressed a strong sense of duty to use her platform as First Lady for good. She mentioned that if her then-boyfriend Trump ever ran for president, she would look to former First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Betty Ford as role models, describing them as 'very traditional. ' Mrs. Kennedy was known for her fashion sense and dedication to preserving the White House, while Mrs. Ford was recognized as a trailblazer advocating for abortion rights and women’s rights. After moving to Washington, Melania began taking on First Lady responsibilities, such as hosting luncheons and state dinners for visiting world leaders. She also focused on the aesthetics of the White House, overseeing extensive renovations and ambitious Christmas decorations, although she was once secretly recorded expressing her frustration about that last task. Her fashion choices often became the subject of media fascination and controversy, particularly after she wore the aforementioned jacket during her visit to the detention center. She later explained that the jacket was meant as a message to 'the people and the left-wing media' who were criticizing her. Melania faced criticism again after being secretly recorded by a former friend and advisor, where she expressed her frustration about being blamed for her husband’s policy to separate migrant children from their families. She later revealed that she had been blindsided by the policy and had privately told Trump that she did not support it. The policy was eventually rescinded by the president in June 2018 after a significant backlash. Professor Vigil noted that one of the biggest challenges Melania faced during her first term was her political inexperience, compounded by a revolving door of staff who were often inexperienced and sometimes disloyal. Nevertheless, Melania remained quietly active, advocating for issues such as children’s welfare through her Be Best campaign, which aimed to combat online bullying. She had to defend her campaign, given her husband’s aggressive use of social media, which often got him into trouble and increased his following. She also focused on helping children affected by the opioid crisis and has since established a foundation to raise educational funds for children in foster care. Many expect her to continue this work when she returns to Washington, although it remains uncertain if she will reside there full-time. Professor Vigil emphasized that the role of First Lady has evolved over the years, and Melania will have the opportunity to make choices about how publicly active she wants to be. 'I think she'll do that much more intentionally,' she concluded.