Home Australia Melania was a model of icy self-control in killer heels… but she’s much warmer and funnier in private, as I discovered when we met, reveals SARAH VINE

Melania was a model of icy self-control in killer heels… but she’s much warmer and funnier in private, as I discovered when we met, reveals SARAH VINE

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Melania Trump was much funnier and cooler than I expected, and then I realized she wasn't just arm candy, writes Sarah Vine.

Compare and contrast the Melania Trump who nervously greeted the Obamas in January 2017, the first time her husband was sworn in as president, with the seasoned professional we witnessed in action yesterday.

Back then, he gave Michelle Obama a gift in a Tiffany blue box, which the outgoing First Lady set aside with some mortification. Arriving at the White House yesterday afternoon, there was no such attempt to curry favor with Mrs. Biden: just impeccable poise and an elegant navy three-quarter length coat, incredible heels and matching boater, which made her look like a cross between a dominatrix and a Norland nanny.

Taking his place in the Capitol next to his 18-year-old son Barron, whose somewhat vampiric complexion contrasted with his expensive honeyed tones, his eyes remained hidden under the brim of his hat.

When her husband leaned in to kiss her, it seemed to act as a sort of millinery force field, preventing his pursed lips from brushing her cheek. The hat remained in place throughout the ceremony, deterring any further attempts to show affection and shielding her from the public gaze. The newly appointed leader of the Free World had to content himself with a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.

You can never tell with Mrs. Trump whether her apparent froideur is intentional or simply a function of her penchant for perfection, evident in every aspect of her appearance. Certainly, in a room full of messy, effusive Americans, she stands out for her poise and self-control.

But there’s no doubt he can seem distant, to put it mildly. I met her once, very briefly, back in 2019, during President Trump’s state visit to the UK. One of the many advantages of being married to a government minister was the occasional dazzling companion, in this case an invitation to the state banquet in the president’s honor at Buckingham Palace, in the presence of the late queen.

It was a memorable evening for all sorts of reasons, mainly for the extraordinary privilege of being inches away from the monarch, in her white dress adorned with crystals, diamonds and rubies.

After dinner we were led to a small room, where Donald himself, his daughter Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kushner, along with several members of their entourage, were holding their own court. The future King Charles listened attentively. Mrs. Trump was off to the side, talking to the wife of the American ambassador, whom I vaguely knew, so, emboldened by the excellent Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1990 served at dinner, I approached. She was resplendent in a custom white Dior, her hair darker than it is now, cat-like eyes sparkling over those razor-sharp Slavic cheekbones.

Melania Trump was much funnier and cooler than I expected, and then I realized she wasn’t just arm candy, writes Sarah Vine.

President Donald Trump and his wife Melania walk hand in hand at his inauguration at the US Capitol building in Washington.

President Donald Trump and his wife Melania walk hand in hand at his inauguration at the US Capitol building in Washington.

I introduced myself and we started chatting. Looking at my husband’s kilt, we speculated that perhaps next time her husband, being of Scottish descent, should try tartan too.

I told her how much I liked her dress, made a joke at my expense, and she laughed, a proper, genuine laugh. She was a lot funnier and cooler than I expected, and then I realized she wasn’t just arm candy.

One thing that caught my attention was that their English really isn’t that good. I’ve often wondered if that has anything to do with their estrangement. I asked him if he enjoyed his stay at the ambassador’s magnificent residence in Regent’s Park, with its beautiful gardens. A look of mischief crossed his face.

‘Ah, yes,’ he said, ‘the gardens. I’ve been told they are very pretty. But you know Donald, what he is like. He says: why land a helicopter at the RAF when the residence has a big garden? So we landed there. And gardens. . .’ She gestured with her long, manicured nails and made a cutting sound like a helicopter. . . Suddenly she’s not so beautiful anymore.

Melania Trump nervously greets the Obamas in January 2017, the first time her husband was sworn in as president

Melania Trump nervously greets the Obamas in January 2017, the first time her husband was sworn in as president

After Trump lost to Biden in 2020, many observers expected Mrs. Trump to jump ship. Instead, not only has she remained married, but she also appears to have doubled down, fully supporting his second offer and even, Vanity Fair magazine alleged, shrewdly renegotiating their prenuptial agreement in case her legal troubles ended up affecting her finances.

But that’s no surprise: in her own way, she is as ambitious and calculating as he is. “Transactional” is the buzzword for Donald Trump’s second term, with the president’s supporters praising his ability to push through a deal even under the most hostile circumstances.

It is your USP. Even his detractors acknowledge his blunt approach, which often sees him making U-turns (TikTok, Bitcoin) that would cause anyone else serious embarrassment. He is the opposite of a politician of conviction, a pure and remorseless opportunist who, in a world divided by dogma and ideological stagnation, may not be so bad. He is willing to deal with virtually anyone, as long as there is a quid pro quo.

His wife, the First Lady of the United States, always seemed to reflect that approach, although in a much less effusive way. Like a sphinx, it appears at your side whenever the occasion demands it, but is noticeably absent from day to day life. Over the years, this has led to speculation about the true nature of their relationship, whether it constitutes a “real” marriage in the romantic sense or whether, in fact, it has a more transactional element.

The implication is that theirs is a marriage of convenience, based not so much on something as unquantifiable as love, but rather on measurable mutual benefits.

I don’t understand why this should be a problem – or even surprising –: Melania is not the first beautiful woman to marry an older, rich and powerful man, nor will she be the last. As Mrs Merton (aka the late comedian Caroline Aherne) might have said: “So, Melania, what first attracted you to the billionaire Donald?” And further: aren’t all relationships fundamentally transactional, whether participants like to admit it or not? If both parties are satisfied with the agreement, what’s the problem?

Still, there is a perception that if it weren’t for her money, Mrs. Trump would have been gone a long time ago, especially after all of her misdemeanors, small and large, plus the whole Stormy Daniels affair, have been scrutinized. so exhaustive way. Why would a self-respecting woman stay with a scoundrel like that, if it weren’t for profit?

On that basis, it might not have been the best idea for the First Lady to launch her own cryptocurrency on Sunday before her husband’s inauguration. The idea that you can somehow buy a slice of Melania for around $10 will only invite more nudges and winks.

That’s one way to look at it. Alternatively, you could see it as a bold move. Because the idea that Melania Trump gives the slightest thought to what the world thinks of her is a bird’s errand.

I’m not sure she even cares what Donald thinks of her, as evidenced by a recent interview in which she said, “Some people just see me as the president’s wife, but I’m on my own.” feet, independent. I have my own thoughts, I have my own yeses and noes, I don’t always agree with what my husband says or does, and that’s okay.’

Compared to the usual career wife nonsense that most political spouses spout, this is encouraging. In fact, one could even argue that Trump’s 20-year marriage to such a strong-willed woman reflects his image quite well.

She is also working on a documentary for Amazon Prime, which she is executive producer, that details her return to the White House. Filming began last December and the show is expected to air in the second half of 2025.

Once again, it’s another example of the Trumps’ positive approach: During his first presidency, Trump was highly critical of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who also owns the center-left Washington Post. This time, after getting a $1 million donation from Bezos, it seems like they’re all best friends, to the point that Mrs. Trump is inviting cameras to the White House.

It remains to be seen whether the documentary will offer real insight into the character of the new First Lady. Maybe you’d rather wear your metaphorical hat and keep us all at arm’s length. Either way, we’re in for an interesting time.

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