Major Controversies Surrounding Melania Trump: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Melania Trump—discover key moments of controversy.

Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and again starting in 2025. Married to President Donald Trump, she is the first naturalized U.S. citizen to hold the position of First Lady. She is also the second foreign-born First Lady, following Louisa Adams, and only the second Roman Catholic First Lady after Jacqueline Kennedy. Furthermore, she's the second First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms, after Frances Cleveland.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1997: Sexually Explicit Photo Shoot

In 1997, Melania was featured in a sexually explicit photo shoot for a French men's magazine called Max. The photos were shot by Alexandre Ale de Basseville.

1999: Howard Stern Interview

In 1999, Melania and Donald Trump gained attention after an interview with Howard Stern on his show, where he asked them lewd sexual questions.

2005: Access Hollywood Tape Recorded

In 2005, the Access Hollywood tape was recorded, featuring Donald Trump making controversial remarks about his treatment of women. The tape was leaked on October 7, 2016, a month before the election.

July 2006: Alleged Extramarital Affair

In July 2006, it was alleged that Donald Trump had an extramarital affair with Stormy Daniels after his marriage to Melania and the birth of their son.

July 2016: Publication of Nude Images in the New York Post

In July 2016, more nude images of Melania Trump were published on the front page of the New York Post in a story titled "The Ogle Office". The images did not have a major effect on the campaign, as Melania was seen as the victim, but they were humiliating and she spent the following two months away from the public.

July 18, 2016: Melania's Speech at the Republican National Convention

On July 18, 2016, Melania Trump gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, which sparked controversy after a paragraph was found to be plagiarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention speech. Melania said she wrote the speech herself with as little help as possible. Trump staff writer Meredith McIver took responsibility for the misunderstanding two days later. The speech also included details about her family in Slovenia and her early modeling career.

2016: Campaign Controversies and Defense of Donald Trump

In 2016, Melania Trump received press coverage during Donald Trump's presidential campaign when erotic photos from her modeling years were published, and a speech she gave at the Republican National Convention was found to be plagiarized. She also defended her husband after the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Melania Sues the Daily Mail for Libel

In 2016, Melania sued the Daily Mail for libel after it alleged that she had worked for an escort agency. The suit was initially for lost career opportunities, but this was changed to emotional distress when she received questions about why she expected to have career opportunities as first lady.

2016: Publication of Old Photos

In 2016, photos from a 1997 sexually explicit photo shoot for Max magazine were published by the New York Post, bringing the photos back into the public eye.

January 2018: Affair Scandal Erupts

In January 2018, a scandal broke when it was alleged that Donald Trump had an affair with Stormy Daniels. Melania Trump's public appearances became infrequent, and she canceled events, including the State of the Union Address. Michael Cohen expressed regret for lying to Melania about arranging the silencing of the affair.

August 9, 2018: Parents Granted American Citizenship

On August 9, 2018, Melania Trump's parents were granted American citizenship, revitalizing accusations of hypocrisy against the Trumps regarding chain migration.

October 2018: Africa Tour and Criticism

In October 2018, Melania Trump toured Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt, focusing on children's welfare and touting USAID's relief work. She faced criticism for her fashion choices and responded by saying she was "the most bullied person in the world".

2018: Critical of 'Zero Tolerance' Policy

In 2018, Melania Trump was openly critical of her husband's 'zero tolerance' policy at the Mexico-United States border, which separated children from their parents, and influenced his decision to end it.

2019: Criticism for Hypocrisy

In 2019, the 'Be Best' campaign drew criticism for perceived hypocrisy due to Donald Trump's online attacks, particularly after he criticized Greta Thunberg. Melania's office defended the different communication styles between spouses.

October 1, 2020: Release of Audiotapes

On October 1, 2020, audiotapes featuring Melania Trump making profane statements about her role as first lady were released by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff alongside a tell-all book, 'Melania and Me'.

Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady

Check it on Amazon

December 2020: Ranked worst first lady in study

In December 2020, a study by the Siena College Research Institute ranked Melania Trump as the worst of 40 assessed American first ladies. The study also found that she was perceived as the first lady who "could have done more" and that her "Be Best" initiative was ranked the least-effective signature initiative among recent first ladies.

2020: Endorsement of Election Fraud Claims

In 2020, Melania Trump endorsed her husband's false claims of election fraud in the presidential election.

2020: Endorsing False Election Claims

In 2020, despite Donald Trump's election loss, Melania Trump endorsed his false statement that he had won the election. She focused on compiling photo albums of White House decorations and renovations, and did not immediately comment on the January 6 Capitol attack.