Melania Trump has released her memoir, the creatively-titled “Melania,” and while it largely reads like a list of accomplishments with very little reflection, coupled with echoes of her husband’s never-ending grievances against targets ranging from the media to trans athletes, there are some occasional flashes of insight. Read five of the key passages below.
Donald first hit on her while he was with another date:
I saw my friend wave at someone behind me. When I turned around, I noticed a man and an attractive blonde woman approaching us.
“Hi. I’m Donald Trump,” the man said when he reached my table. “Nice to meet you.” I recognized the name, and I knew he was a businessman or celebrity, but not much else. He put his hand out to shake mine.
“Hello,” I replied. “I’m Melania.”
His eyes filled with curiosity and interest, and, seizing the opportunity, he took the seat next to mine and started a conversation. He asked me about my time in New York, my Slovenian home, and my world travels. It was a moment of connection, a brief encounter that left a lasting impression. It was nice to make a new acquaintance.
He was accompanied by a beautiful date, so I initially dismissed our conversation as mere pleasantries exchanged at an industry event. The music was loud, and the crowd boisterous, making it difficult to truly connect with someone.
From the moment our conversation began, I was captivated by his charm and easygoing nature. There was so much bustling activity around us, but his intent focus on our interaction made me feel like the center of his world. It was a refreshing departure from the usual superficial small talk, and I found myself drawn to his magnetic energy.
When his companion left for a moment, he asked me for my phone number. I politely declined his request. He was a little surprised.
“Give me your number,” I said.
“I’ll give you my number,” he said, “if you promise to call me.”
With a hand gesture, Donald called over his bodyguard. His big shoulders leaned in as he listened to him, before discreetly writing a note on a sleek business card. Donald took the card and handed it to me.
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She reveals the music and movies she enjoys with Donald:
We share a love for Elvis Presley and Elton John. Whenever he had music playing at home, he’d crank up the volume and pull me into a spontaneous dance. And when it came to movies, we enjoyed everything from Westerns to old classics to dramas. His taste was eclectic, just like mine.
We visited the theater regularly, seeing almost every new release. Our evenings were filled with the excitement of baseball games, football games, and boxing events.
She admits that she has disagreements with members of the Trump family — including Donald:
By the time Donald and I married and welcomed Barron, his older children — Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric — had become more independent, while Tiffany remained in her formative years, residing with her mother in California.
My approach to building relationships with Donald’s children has always been grounded in love and respect. I recognize their individuality, understanding that, as their stepmother, my role is not to replace their mothers but to nurture a supportive and amicable connection. This perspective has enabled me to cultivate meaningful relationships with each child in a unique way.
While I may not agree with every opinion or choice expressed by Donald’s grown children, nor do I align with all of Donald’s decisions, I acknowledge that differing viewpoints are a natural aspect of human relationships.
She appears to denounce the violent Jan. 6 protesters who stormed the Capitol:
The news coverage was shocking; the violence we witnessed was unequivocally unacceptable. While I recognized that many individuals felt the election was mishandled and that the vice president should halt the confirmation process, we must never resort to violence.
She denies that she swatted Donald’s hand away during a 2017 trip to Israel:
The occurrence, dubbed a “swat” by the gossipmongers, was a mere misunderstanding. Protocol demanded that the president and prime minister walk side by side, with their spouses trailing behind. Yet, unforeseen circumstances led to a slight deviation from the norm. Bibi ended up holding his wife’s hand, and my husband walked beside them — three abreast. The red carpet simply could not accommodate all four of us abreast. I allowed my husband to continue walking with the prime minister and his wife, opting to take a step back. When he reached out to offer his hand, I declined, indicating that I was perfectly content walking on my own. It was a minor innocent gesture, nothing more.
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