Melania Trump
Melania Trump was, reportedly, doing a photo shoot at the White House amid the riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS)

In a recent revelation, former First Lady Melania Trump has come under scrutiny after being accused by an ex-aide of profiting from her personal images. According to Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former close associate, Melania allegedly licenses her personal photos through Getty Images, ensuring that only pre-approved images of her and her family are made available to the public. The accusation sheds light on what Wolkoff describes as a meticulous effort by the former first lady to curate her public image for profit.

The claim emerged during an interview between Melania Trump and Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt. In a seemingly casual moment, Earhardt displayed a photo of Melania and her son Barron, commenting, "This is a working mom's life. We can all relate to this. Everything's chaotic, everything's hectic, but it's so much fun." Melania responded by recalling the moment, linking it to her QVC jewelry collection and her desire to show Barron that she, too, was a working mother.

However, Wolkoff quickly took to social media to challenge this portrayal. Sharing a clip of the interview, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "THIS IS LAUGHABLE. Melania Trump has a PERSONAL photographer who takes PHOTOS of Melania in locations around the world. Melania approves the photos she wants the public to see, and then she LICENSES them to Getty Images to make a PROFIT." Wolkoff's criticism has fueled an ongoing narrative that the Trumps carefully orchestrate their public image.

 

The revelation sparked widespread discussion online, with many users expressing their skepticism about the authenticity of Melania's portrayal as a relatable working mother. One user commented, "What a juggle and struggle Melania had as a 'working' from home mother of one with a household staff and unlimited funds. So relatable to every woman." Another added, "Everything to do with this family is fake. It's a show. There's not a single honest one amongst them."

This isn't the first time Wolkoff has called out her former boss for being highly calculated in her actions. In previous statements, Wolkoff described Melania as someone who "stages everything" she does. Back when Donald Trump was facing legal troubles in New York, Wolkoff told reporters, "Everything Melania does is staged," hinting that her absence from public support for her husband was intentional and strategic.

Melania Trump has long been viewed as an enigma. In a separate interview with Ainsley Earhardt, Melania hesitated when asked if she fell in love with Donald Trump after their first date. Rather than offering an affirmation of love, Melania responded after a brief pause, "It was a connection." The exchange, which took place during a promotional tour for her memoir Melania, highlights the often elusive nature of the former first lady's public statements.

The Fox News interview also explored Melania's wedding to Donald Trump at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, followed by a lavish reception at Mar-a-Lago. Melania reflected on the event as "an exciting day, a busy, busy day," noting the pressures any bride faces in ensuring everything runs smoothly. "And it went. We had a good day," she concluded, leaving little room for the kind of romantic sentiment typically associated with wedding day memories.

Wolkoff's continued criticism and her claims about Melania's tightly controlled public image are reminiscent of the broader scrutiny the Trump family has faced regarding its relationship with authenticity and image control. Wolkoff, who served as a senior advisor to Melania during her time in the White House, published a tell-all book in 2020, in which she detailed the intricacies of her working relationship with the former first lady.

This latest accusation adds fuel to the fire of ongoing public debate about the Trump family's approach to both business and personal matters. Melania's actions, as portrayed by Wolkoff, suggest a woman deeply invested in how she is perceived by the world-willing to monetize even intimate family moments to maintain control over her narrative.

As these revelations continue to circulate, Melania Trump's image as a private, reserved figure is being increasingly questioned. Whether this latest scandal will have a lasting impact on her carefully curated public persona remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation around Melania's role as a businesswoman, mother, and public figure is more contentious than ever.