Melania Trump’s choice to maintain a low profile has long been a topic of fascination and discussion among political commentators and the public alike. Her former close friend and senior advisor, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, has shed some light on this deliberate decision, suggesting that Melania’s reticence is not merely a personal preference but a carefully crafted strategy to preserve her aura of mystery.
In her book, “Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship With the First Lady,” Wolkoff delves into the reasons behind Melania’s “intentional lack of communication,” which she describes as a form of “armor” that protects and defines Melania’s public persona. Wolkoff claims that Melania has a pre-approved list of adjectives—such as “confident,” “strong,” and “independent”—that she uses to shape her public image, reinforcing her enigmatic status.
This tactic, according to a report by OK! Magazine, is a calculated effort to control how she is perceived by the public. Despite her husband Donald Trump’s high-profile presence and active political life, Melania has often chosen to step back rather than be in the limelight. This was highlighted during an interview with Megyn Kelly, where the former president remarked on Melania’s absence by noting that “part of the beauty is that mystery,” suggesting that her elusive nature might even enhance her public appeal.
SILENCE is Melania Trump’s armor. https://t.co/UFqBFztURG
— Stephanie Winston Wolkoff (@SWinstonWolkoff) November 11, 2023
Melania’s sporadic public appearances only add to her mystique. For instance, her attendance at a Halloween event at Mar-a-Lago in October, which marked her first public appearance alongside Donald in seven months, was widely noted. Such rare sightings have sparked debate about whether her absence could affect Donald Trump’s political image and campaign strategies.
Political analyst D. Stephen Voss, quoted by Newsweek, pointed out that presidential spouses typically bolster the public image of national politicians. However, he noted that Melania departed the White House with relatively low approval ratings, implying that her presence alongside Donald might not significantly alter public perception.
Voss also cautioned that the low visibility of Trump’s family members could lead some to perceive them as distancing themselves from him, potentially impacting his political fortunes. Craig Agranoff, another political analyst, echoed similar thoughts, suggesting that Melania’s infrequent appearances lend a certain “mystique” to her persona, which could appeal to voters who favor a more traditional, less publicly active role for a political figure’s spouse.
PAGING JACK SMITH—
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 1, 2023
Melania Trump's ex-best friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff just dropped this bombshell on Lights On with Jessica Denson podcast:
"And I do hope the investigators do have her Signals that I have, and I hope that they have her text messages and I hope that they… pic.twitter.com/OgJSG4LRbl
Nonetheless, he warned that in today’s political climate, where visibility often translates to accessibility and relatability, Melania’s approach might be viewed as a missed opportunity to engage with a wider demographic. In the midst of legal challenges and controversies surrounding her husband, Melania remains poised and seemingly unaffected.
Reports indicate that she is primarily focused on her role as a mother to Barron and her personal life in Palm Beach, staying above the fray of the political and media storms that continue to swirl around her husband. Her composed demeanor in the face of ongoing legal dramas and media scrutiny further solidifies her image as a figure defined by both her presence and her absence.
i love this story. imagine going into a salvatore ferragamo store and asking "excuse me, have you seen melania trump?" https://t.co/FK06PtyGMh pic.twitter.com/pwXcOT162Z
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) November 10, 2023