On July 25, 2024, Melania Trump announced that she was writing a memoir set to be released in the fall.[4] She described the writing process as "incredibly rewarding" but "daunting at times."[5] She promoted the book by posting a series of short-form videos on social media and conducting an interview with Ainsley Earhardt on Fox & Friends on September 26, 2024, her first interview in over two years.[6][7] Her husband, former President Donald Trump, also promoted the book at his rallies while running for re-election, although he admitted that he had not yet read it.[8]
Content
In the memoir, Melania Trump reflects on her childhood in Yugoslav-controlled Slovenia, her modeling career, how she met Donald Trump in 1998, and her tenure as First Lady from 2017 to 2021.[9]
The memoir also revealed some personal beliefs held by Melania Trump previously unknown to the public, such as being pro-choice, a view contrasting with that of her husband.[10] Additionally, she stated that she strongly disagreed with her husband's family separation policy in 2018.[11][12] However, she echoed her husband's 2020 election denial claims, writing, "Many Americans still have doubts about the election to this day. I am not the only person who questions the results."[13]
Reception
Critical reception
Melania was criticized for its lack of insight into her marriage with Donald Trump, with Alexandra Jacobs of The New York Times characterizing the memoir as having an obfuscating writing style which "barely grapples with the mysteries of her marriage".[1] An "unmistakable formality to the marriage description" was also noted by Sheila Flynn of The Independent.[14] "If the Trumps ever have meaningful conversations, you won’t find them here," wrote Keziah Weir for Vanity Fair.[15]
However, writers for The Washington Post and Variety respectively wrote that the memoir revealed "a side of her personality that we don’t usually see" with "some occasional flashes of insight".[16][17]
