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 and the current First Lady of the United States (since 2025), a position she also held from 2017 to 2021 during Donald Trump's previous presidency. She holds the distinction of being the first naturalized citizen to become First Lady, the second foreign-born First Lady, the second Roman Catholic First Lady, and the second First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Sections (5)

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

1997: Sexually Explicit Photoshoot for Max

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

2005: Access Hollywood tape recorded

In 2005 the Access Hollywood tape was recorded, shortly after their marriage, and it featured audio of Donald making controversial remarks about his treatment of women. The tape was leaked on October 7, a month before the election.

July 2006: Alleged Extramarital Affair

In July 2006, Donald Trump allegedly had an extramarital affair with pornographic actress Stormy Daniels after his marriage to Melania and the birth of their son. The news of this affair became public in January 2018.

2008: Michelle Obama's Speech

In 2008 Michelle Obama gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention from which Melania Trump plagiarized part of her speech on July 18, 2016.

July 2016: Publication of Nude Images in New York Post

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

July 18, 2016: Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention

On July 18, 2016, Melania gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. A controversy emerged after it became apparent that a paragraph of the speech had been plagiarized from Michelle Obama's speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. It was the only major speech she delivered during the campaign.

2016: Controversies during the 2016 Presidential Campaign

In 2016, during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Melania Trump faced press coverage for erotic photos from her modeling years and for a speech at the Republican National Convention that was found to be plagiarized from a speech by Michelle Obama. She also defended her husband following the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Publication of Old Photos by New York Post

In 2016, photos from a 1997 sexually explicit photoshoot of Melania were published by the New York Post.

August 9, 2018: Melania's Parents Granted American Citizenship

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

October 2018: Melania's Solo Tour of Africa

In October 2018, Melania embarked on a solo tour of Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt. During the trip, she focused on children's welfare and promoted the United States Agency for International Development. She also faced criticism for her fashion choices.

2018: White House Christmas Decorations Controversy

In 2018, Melania planned the White House Christmas decorations, filling the East Collonnade with red cranberry-laden trees set atop a green carpet. The design was widely derided, which Melania ascribed to personal taste.

October 1, 2020: Release of Audiotapes by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

On October 1, 2020, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff released audiotapes featuring Melania Trump making profane statements about her image and role as first lady, coinciding with Wolkoff's 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 December 2020, a Siena College Research Institute study ranked Melania Trump as the worst of 40 assessed American first ladies. She received the lowest assessments in all metrics and was considered to have "could have done more" while first lady. Her "Be Best" initiative was ranked the least effective among the ten most-recent first ladies.