Melania Trump, America’s former First Lady, has released a new memoir offering rare insights into her life both in the White House and as the wife of former President Donald Trump. The Slovenian-born ex-model shares personal anecdotes and reflects on her unique experiences, relationships, and stance on various issues.
In the book “Melania,” released on October 8, 2024, she revisits her first encounter with Donald Trump at a New York City party. He approached her, even though he had arrived with another woman. Melania recalls, “I recognized the name, and I knew he was a businessman or celebrity, but not much else.” She chose not to give him her phone number but took his instead, later calling him and setting their future in motion.
Melania’s memoir also addresses some deeply personal topics, including the stigma she faces from public perceptions. She highlights misconceptions about her marriage, refuting allegations that she’s a “gold digger” and sharing details about her own business ventures. “I have made my own wealth through modeling and my skincare and jewelry businesses,” she writes.
Perhaps most strikingly, Melania shares her pro-choice stance on abortion, diverging from her husband’s Republican views. She voices her support for individual rights, saying that the next generation should be given access to knowledge, security, safety, and comfort and that the stigma around abortion needs to be removed.
While Mrs. Trump may hold different views from her husband on reproductive rights, she generally aligns with many of his positions, including in the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.
Her tone is somewhat softer than her husband’s as she questions the election results, arguing that all votes should have been counted on Election Day itself. Due to the increased number of absentee ballots prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ballot-counting process took longer in 2020.
Melania describes the day of January 6th, when her husband’s supporters breached the U.S. Capitol. She explains her choice not to condemn the violence at that time, stating that she was unaware of what was happening at the Capitol. She reflects that, had she been fully informed, she would have immediately condemned the violence at the Capitol Building.
Melania also sheds light on her relationships with Donald Trump’s children and her unique bond with King Charles. She describes a respectful relationship with her stepchildren while acknowledging they don’t always agree. The book further reveals an ongoing pen-pal connection with King Charles, which started after they met in 2005. “We exchange letters with King Charles to this day,” she writes, touching on shared beliefs about environmental conservation.”
Near the end of her book, Mrs. Trump recalls the experience of watching a gunman’s attempted assassination of her husband unfold on television. Recently, Trump has endured two assassination attempts, the first occurring during a rally in July in Butler, Pennsylvania, while he was addressing the crowd.
At the time, Melania was at their home in Bedminster, New Jersey, away from the campaign trail. She recalls watching the chaotic scene: gunfire erupting, Donald instinctively reaching for his head, and Secret Service agents quickly moving to shield him.
After an endless wait, she finally spoke to her husband. Her concern, however, was mainly for their son, who also witnessed the event on TV. Seeing Donald’s bloodied face repeatedly, she had to keep reminding herself that she had just spoken with him. She reflects on her husband’s survival, describing it as nothing less than miraculous.
Her book’s timing and content will likely spark debate, potentially drawing both support and criticism that could influence public opinion as her husband’s campaign progresses.