With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, his wife, Melania Trump, has quietly settled back into her role. Although Donald remains constantly in the media spotlight, Melania prefers to keep a lower profile. Her public appearances have been minimal, though she has opened the White House for tours soon after her husband’s reelection.

Melania Trump, originally from Slovenia, holds the distinction of being the second First Lady of the United States born outside the country. Recently, a provocative suggestion from a Congresswoman has brought her immigration status into the conversation.

Returning to the White House was not an inevitable path for Melania. In various statements, she has mentioned that her second term as First Lady will not mirror her first. One notable change is that she won’t reside in the White House full-time. Additionally, insiders have hinted that she seems to steer clear of politics.

Her recent activities have been mostly off-camera. According to an unnamed source in People Magazine, much of Melania’s time has been dedicated to producing her documentary on Amazon.

As outlined by this source, Melania’s absence from the headlines during Trump’s early months back in office was expected. The source described her as being non-traditional in her approach to the First Lady role, with distinct ideas about her public image and personal projects.

Currently, Melania devotes her efforts to pursuing her personal initiatives at the White House.

Melania Trump’s Activities

The making of her documentary has kept Melania engaged with various locations, including the White House. She divides her time between there and the family’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. Yet, as per People Magazine, Melania has not been performing any conventional First Lady functions in Washington.

The source adds that the Trumps essentially live between Mar-a-Lago and the White House, each having their own space. Melania often follows her own routine, joining Donald when necessary, and makes rare public appearances, such as occasional dinners with him.

Melania aims to make significant strides in her platform during this tenure. Her previous campaign, “Be Best,” focused on curtailing bullying among youth. In January, she expressed hopes to elevate the campaign, emphasizing social media and mental health education for children.

“During my earlier efforts, I didn’t receive much backing,” she revealed to Fox. “Imagine the possibilities if media platforms cooperated to protect and educate the youth about digital wellbeing.”

Reopening the White House

One of Melania’s initial moves this term was reintroducing public tours of the White House in February.

“The President and I are thrilled to welcome the public to explore the immense history of this national treasure. The White House holds tales of every administration and family that has resided there. We continue this global tradition with pride, letting visitors witness America’s legacy firsthand,” Melania stated.

Melania’s path to the White House is unique. Raised in Slovenia, she began modeling as a child and worked in fashion shows, typical of her peers whose families worked in local factories.

A standout even in her youth, Melania moved to the Ljubljana suburbs as a teen to pursue advanced studies in design and photography, diving deeply into her education.

From Slovenia to the White House

At age 17, Melania’s future took a defining turn when noticed by photographer Stane Jerko after a local fashion show. Impressed by her striking looks and subtle charisma, Jerko suggested she pursue modeling.

By 18, she secured a Milan modeling contract, adopting the name Melania Knauss. Her career spanned Milan and Paris with moderate success. Her life, however, pivoted when she met Paolo Zampolli, a close associate of Donald Trump.

Zampolli encouraged her move to New York City on a visitor visa, which launched her significant modeling opportunities. Despite living modestly in a shared apartment, Melania took risks that paid off professionally, setting her on the path that led to Donald Trump.

Becoming a US Citizen

At 26, Melania made a bold move by posing for a French magazine in a manner typical for emerging models, earning a prominent tobacco brand campaign due to regulations favoring older spokesmodels.

After meeting Donald Trump, her life trajectory shifted. They married, and following the birth of their son, Barron, she gained US citizenship in 2006. Reflecting on her immigration journey, Melania shared the intricate challenges she faced in understanding the complex processes.

“Being an immigrant myself revealed to me the tough hurdles others confront in pursuing U.S. citizenship,” she admitted during a ceremony at the National Archives in 2023.

Donald Trump’s approach to immigration policy, focusing on revoking undocumented statuses, has both supporters and dissenters. It has partially incited public scrutiny of Melania’s immigration journey as well.

Debating Melania’s Deportation

Recently, Melania became the focal point of political conversations when Congresswoman Maxine Waters questioned Donald Trump’s immigration stance. At a protest, Waters suggested reconsidering Melania’s status in light of Trump’s proposed birthright policy alterations.

“If Trump scrutinizes birthright statuses so closely, maybe he should first examine Melania’s origins,” Waters proposed. Her remarks fueled public curiosity about Melania’s lineage.

In April, Melania emerged into public view at the Women of Courage Award Ceremony, dazzling attendees with her presence.

The Department of State’s award ceremony, initiated by Condoleezza Rice in 2007, honors the bravery of women globally who dedicate themselves to causes despite personal risk.

This year’s honorees ranged from human rights advocates to journalists, each showcasing immense perseverance and leadership.

Celebrating Courage

Melania addressed the ceremony, expressing that “love has empowered [her] to forgive, empathize, and bravely face unpredictability. Today, courage—a strength derived from love—is celebrated.”

She further praised the honorees, “It’s humbling to gather amongst remarkable women who’ve shown unwavering love, unfazed by adversity. Their resolve constantly inspires us.”

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