Melania Trump has taken a bold stance in defending her past as a nude model, drawing comparisons between her work and revered works of art. As she continues to promote her upcoming memoir, titled Melania, the former First Lady took to social media to offer her perspective on the media’s scrutiny of her career.
In a video posted to her Instagram account, Melania, 54, posed a question to her audience: “Why do I stand proudly behind my nude modeling work?” She went on to criticize the media for its intense focus on her past, asking, “Why has the media chosen to scrutinize my celebration of the human form in a fashion photo shoot? Are we no longer able to appreciate the beauty of the human body?” These remarks were accompanied by images of famous works of art that feature nude figures, including Michelangelo’s David and Paul Cézanne’s Bathers.
“Throughout history, master artists have revered the human shape, evoking profound emotions and admiration,” Trump said in the voiceover. “We should honor our bodies and embrace the timeless tradition of using art as a powerful means of self-expression.” This unapologetic defense of her career marked one of her more personal statements as she continued to build anticipation for her memoir, set to be released on October 1.
Melania’s memoir, her first book telling her side of the story, is expected to dive deeper into various aspects of her life—from her early modeling days to her time in the White House. The book has already sparked considerable interest, particularly due to Melania’s decision to take a more public stance on issues she’s historically remained silent on. In the weeks leading up to its release, she has released a series of promotional videos on her social media accounts. Each video sheds light on different aspects of her life and personal journey, including reflections on motherhood, her relationship with her husband Donald Trump, and, more recently, her modeling career.
While her defense of nude modeling has garnered attention, her memoir comes at a time when other significant events have also surrounded the Trump family. One of her earlier videos made waves when she questioned law enforcement's involvement in an alleged assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump. The attempt was reported to have occurred near his West Palm Beach golf club, raising questions about security measures and leading Melania to call for more transparency.
Melania’s modeling career has long been a point of intrigue. Born in Slovenia, she embarked on her career at a young age and posed for a French adult magazine in 1995. Five years later, she posed on Donald Trump’s private jet for a British GQ photo shoot in 2000. At the time, the couple had been dating for two years. Although the photos resurfaced during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, the images never featured full-frontal nudity, as confirmed by the photographer Antoine Verglas. Verglas noted that Melania insisted on maintaining a certain level of modesty, explaining, “Melania was a very reserved person. She was definitely not someone you would see in nightclubs or going out a lot. Pretty down to earth, very nice, very warm.”
While Melania’s photo shoots were seen as risqué by some, her husband, Donald Trump, was quick to defend her, stating during his campaign that the images were “fashionable and common” in Europe. Campaign adviser Jason Miller echoed this sentiment, referring to the pictures as “a celebration of the human body as art.”