Melania Trump
| Melania Trump | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Role: | Former first lady of the United States |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Website: | Official website |
Melania Trump was the first lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021, during the administration of President Donald Trump (R). Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, previously worked as a fashion model and married Donald Trump in 2005. She gave birth to their son, Barron, in 2006 and described herself as a full-time mom in 2016.[1]
Career
Modeling career
Trump was born in Slovenia and began modeling at the age of 16; at the age of 18 she was signed to an agency in Milan, Italy. She moved to New York City in 1996 on an H-1B visa as a model and got her green card to become a permanent resident in 2001. She became a citizen in 2006.[2]
Marriage to Donald Trump
On January 22, 2005, Melania and Donald Trump were married in Palm Beach, Florida, at a ceremony that was attended by a number of New York celebrities and media personalities.[3] The two had a son, Barron, in March 2006.[4] In an interview with Parenting, Trump explained her philosophy on marriage and motherhood, saying:[5]
| " | I know my husband. We have a great relationship. We are both very independent. We know what our roles are and we are happy with them. ... I am a full time mom; that is my first job. The most important job ever. I started my business when he started school. When he is in school I do my meetings, my sketches, and everything else. I cook him breakfast. Bring him to school. Pick him up. Prepare his lunch. I spend the afternoon with him. Sometimes I have obligations, but I also think children need to see a parent do what her passion is. It is a good example for a child. So the child can find passion as well and follow that passion in the future.[6] | ” |
Presidential election, 2016
- See also: Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
During Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Melania Trump did not appear on the campaign trail or give speeches as a surrogate often. She explained to Harper's Bazaar, "I'm choosing not to go political in public because that is my husband's job. I'm very political in private life, and between me and my husband I know everything that is going on. I follow from A to Z. But I chose not to be on the campaign. I made that choice. I have my own mind. I am my own person, and I think my husband likes that about me."[7]
During the Republican National Convention, she gave a speech supporting her husband's presidential run. According to CNN, "Melania Trump's address was warmly received by the rowdy Republican crowd, but did not include behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in Trump Tower or other details that might offer some insight into the man behind the image."[8] After the speech, media reports criticized Trump for similarities between her address and that given by Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in 2008. Trump spokespeople denied plagiarism allegations.[9]
First Lady of the United States
Trump became first lady on January 20, 2017.[10] According to her official page on the White House's website, she wanted to use her position to focus on cyberbullying among young people in the United States.[11]
Noteworthy events
On October 2, 2020, Trump announced on Twitter that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus.[12] Previously, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham announced March 23, 2020 that Trump tested negative for coronavirus. She was tested at the same time as President Donald Trump out of an abundance of caution.[13]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Newsweek, "Melania Trump, Bill Clinton, et al: Why the spouses behind the candidates are the most interesting ever," March 14, 2016
- ↑ The New Yorker, "The Model American," May 9, 2016
- ↑ People, "Donald Trump Weds Melania Knauss," January 23, 2005
- ↑ AM New York, "Barron Trump: Get to know the president's fifth child," June 12, 2017
- ↑ Parenting, "Melania Trump Juggles Motherhood, Marriage, and a Career Just Like Us," accessed June 29, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Harper's Bazaar, "Melania Trump's American Dream," January 6, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "Melania Trump's unexpected moment," July 19, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "No one to be fired after Melania Trump speech plagiarism episode," July 19, 2016
- ↑ People, "Donald Trump Is Sworn In as the 45th President of the United States," January 20, 2017
- ↑ The White House, "First Lady Melania Trump," accessed June 29, 2017
- ↑ Associated Press, "President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19," October 2, 2020
