A Profile in Avoidance.


The couple with Donald’s daughter Ivanka at the 2004 Met Gala.
By Evan Agostini/Getty Images.

Vanity Fair has an interesting profile of Melania Trump, who, it seems, simply wanted a life of quiet avoidance cushioned by a great deal of money. Interesting reading, but also truly sad, a look at brittle, splintery, unhappy lives.

As the gorgeous wife of a Manhattan billionaire, Melania has had every opportunity to become a fixture on the gala-going benefit circuit. But that would presume an interest in social status or a cause. As Bytner recalls, “She was passionate about . . . Well, I can’t think what she was passionate about.”

[…]

Trump decided not to run in 2012, saying he wasn’t ready to leave the private sector. Four years later, the time had come. Trump’s official story is that he consulted with his family about his decision to run, and they all agreed. A former campaign aide recalls a conversation in which Melania told this aide that she didn’t want Donald to run, because she was terrified he might win. According to another Trump insider, “She never wanted this, and never had any interest.” (Grisham maintains that “Mrs. Trump has always been supportive of all her husband’s endeavors.”) Tolerating his boorishness—that she could do. Repeating a couple of lame sound bites to Joy Behar—fine. But serious campaigning for one’s spouse required far more actual effort.

Melania seemed to do her best to ignore the new reality, on the grounds that she wanted to be home for Barron. Over the course of Trump’s 17-month campaign, she rarely joined her husband at rallies, and the speeches she gave could be counted on one hand. Compare that with Michelle Obama, who spoke all over the country on Barack’s behalf, though she too had young children. During the primaries, Donald made do by re-tweeting a picture of Melania next to an unflattering shot of Heidi Cruz, Ted’s wife, with the caption “The images are worth a thousand words.”

But then he clinched the nomination, and more Melania participation was required—which, alas, did not do her any favors. In February 2016, in an interview with MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski, Melania expounded on illegal immigration, using her personal story as an example of model behavior. “I followed the law . . . . And you should do that. You should not just say, O.K., let me stay here. And whatever happens happens.”

The full article is here.

Comments

  1. says

    Money doesn’t but happiness but it funds the research and development. The “loooook at meeeee!!” Set have a problem because they set up a worldview in which it is impossible to get enough attention and gold leaf. Melania seems to be figuring that out, slowly.

  2. says

    I don’t know. They came to an agreement which suited both: she’s decorative and boosts his ego when needed; other than that, she’s quiet and doesn’t “make waves”, he let her have the kid, and basically leaves her be to read magazines and work out. The whole political run has ruined that for Melania, who obviously wants no part of it. It’s clear that Trump doesn’t have the leverage to make her move to D.C., and I’m starting to think that move won’t ever happen.

  3. says

    I recently read an interesting article where someone looked at Melania’s posted photos. It was interesting as in how she always puts a distance between herself and the world, even when taking selfies.
    Of course, that’s her right, I just don’t see why the NY people should have to pay for the distance she needs to put between herself and her husband.

    And on a different note: I sometimes wonder if Trump only married Melania because he couldn’t fuck his own daughter. They looks pretty much alike and Trump has shown a really unhealthy obsession with his daughter all along.

  4. says

    Giliell:

    I just don’t see why the NY people should have to pay for the distance she needs to put between herself and her husband.

    They shouldn’t. I don’t care if she never moves into the white house, but she should at least move to D.C. As for Daddy’s love of his daughter, he openly commits incest by proxy (making comments about her looks, how sexy she is, etc.), and the fact that he’s so open about it freaks me the fuck out. Also, he’s not remotely sexual in behaviour when it comes to his wife, nor does he even seem to consider her presence when they are together. When they are together, he acts like she isn’t there.

  5. Kengi says

    Trump may be plotting for a new trophy wife. His Justice Department is arguing in court that people like Melania should be subject to revocation of their citizenship and deportation.

Leave a Reply