Melania Trump, the spouse of ex-President Donald Trump, is set to release her memoir “Melania.”
Scheduled for publication by Skyhorse Publishing on October 8, 2024, the book offers an intimate view into her tenure as first lady, her pre-political life, and the public scrutiny she encountered.
Melania Trump, 54, became the First Lady of the United States following her husband’s 2016 presidential victory. She maintained a minimal public presence during her tenure, often sidestepping the conventional responsibilities of a first lady. Notably, her speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention faced accusations of plagiarism, marking the beginning of her unique approach to public life. In a rare appearance during the 2024 campaign, she accompanied her husband at the Republican National Convention but chose not to speak.
As the 2024 presidential election draws near, Melania Trump is voicing her thoughts. In promotional videos for her memoir, she discusses topics like earlier nude photoshoots, her role as a mother, and her issues with the media. She also addresses the 2022 FBI raid of her Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, during which agents sought classified documents.
In one video, she expresses shock at the government’s violation of her privacy, referring to it as a “warning” for all Americans.
The release of Melania Trump’s memoir is notably timed, with just weeks remaining before the November 5 election and her potential return as first lady. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to Melania Trump, remarked regarding the timing, “She is capitalizing on the time she has left before the election. Her [market] value is gone if she is no longer a prospective first lady.” Wolkoff now supports Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and stated, “If Harris wins, I believe people will want to move on.”
The memoir provides insight into Melania Trump’s personal life, including her modeling career and her relationship with Donald Trump. Despite the controversies surrounding her husband’s two impeachments, criminal charges, and the Stormy Daniels scandal, Melania has largely remained silent. The memoir is anticipated to focus on her experiences as a wife and mother and the public scrutiny she faced, rather than these controversial issues.
Melania Trump’s choice to publish her memoir through Skyhorse Publishing, as opposed to a major New York publishing house, is another departure from tradition. Both Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, former first ladies, collaborated with larger publishers for their books and secured multimillion-dollar contracts. According to sources, Melania’s team held discussions with several major publishers but failed to reach an agreement, ultimately choosing Skyhorse, a publisher known for working with contentious figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Woody Allen. A Skyhorse spokesperson refrained from commenting on the negotiation details.
Since leaving the White House, Melania Trump has been financially active. The financial disclosure report from August 2024 showed that she earned $330,000 from selling NFTs and $237,500 for speaking at a Log Cabin Republicans event in Palm Beach, Florida. These earnings highlight her careful planning for her financial future, particularly as she remains largely absent from her husband’s campaign activities.
Despite maintaining a low profile, Melania Trump has been criticized for several controversial decisions during her time as first lady. Her renovation of the White House Rose Garden, which removed historical features from the Kennedy era, still draws criticism from historians. Moreover, her decision to wear a Zara jacket with the phrase “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” during a visit to children separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border has left an enduring mark on her public image.
Historian and first ladies’ expert Robert Watson pointed out that Melania’s time as first lady shattered many conventional norms. “One of the cardinal rules for a first lady is to do no harm… in this respect, Melania comes up short,” Watson stated in an email.
As the election day nears, the publication of Melania Trump’s memoir may represent her last chance to shape her public legacy. Whether she will return to the White House as first lady or retire from politics will be decided by voters.
