Ahead of Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, America’s soon-to-be First Lady, Melania Trump, made it clear that she would not play a secondary role in the presidential spotlight. Instead, she is determined to create her own prominent position, according to a Daily Mail report.
On Thursday, the typically private 57-year-old former model was seen meeting with Queen Rania of Jordan at the Trumps’ Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, a moment captured in a photo posted by the Queen on Instagram. The two were seen having coffee and engaged in an in-depth conversation as a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed. This ceasefire was, in part, negotiated by Trump’s new regional envoy. With a documentary film crew following Melania since November, one wonders whether the cameras captured the substance of their conversation.
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Melania Trump signs $40 million documentary deal
Melania is set to produce and direct her own documentary and follow-up series, reportedly backed by a $40 million deal with Jeff Bezos’s Amazon. The project, where she serves as executive producer, will include appearances from her husband and son, Barron. Though the financial details remain unclear, it’s expected that Melania will receive a substantial portion of the payout.
This marks a stark contrast to her first four years as First Lady, when she remained mostly out of the public eye, hosting minimal events and granting few interviews. Now, however, sources reveal that Melania is driven by a new determination to control her narrative and pursue financial independence. “Money is her number one priority,” one source was quoted as saying by Daily Mail, noting her return to the business world after her time in the White House.
In December 2021, Melania sold a series of NFTs titled “Melania’s Vision” for $150 each, with some proceeds reportedly benefiting children and teens exiting the foster care system. Additionally, she has been promoting Christmas decorations, jewelry, and her best-selling memoir, generating ongoing royalties.
Ethical concerns over Melania Trump’s speaking engagement fee
Further asserting her business acumen, Melania was paid $237,500 for a speaking engagement at a fundraiser for her husband in April 2024, as revealed in a financial disclosure. Ethics experts have questioned the hefty fee, though the payment is not illegal given the First Lady’s honorary status, which is not governed by federal ethics rules.
The report also added that speculation that Melania may seek to profit from her second term in the White House is raising moral questions, though not necessarily legal concerns.
Melania 2.0 likely to focus on self-sufficiency
Despite concerns over morality, there’s little question that Melania is focusing on self-sufficiency in her second term. She has consistently shown a desire to take control over her public image, having frequently criticised the media’s portrayal of her in the past, especially after her controversial jacket incident during a visit to a migrant detention facility.
Now, she’s determined to rewrite her story, presenting herself as independent and ready to face her second term with newfound confidence. “I’m standing on my own two feet,” Melania remarked in a rare, candid interview with Fox News. As she steps into her second role as First Lady, it’s clear she’s fully prepared for what lies ahead.