What went through Melania Trump’s mind as she descended that famous Trump Tower escalator? What drove her to support one of the most controversial presidential campaigns in modern history?
Melania Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign experience transformed her life from a private citizen to a political figure under intense scrutiny. From the initial campaign announcement to the surprising election victory, she navigated unprecedented challenges while supporting her husband’s presidential bid.
Read on to learn about the pivotal moments that shaped Melania Trump’s journey from Trump Tower to the White House.
Image credit: Marc Nozell on Flickr
Melania Trump on the 2016 Campaign
For Melania Trump, 2016 was a year that changed her life forever. In Melania’s memoir, she writes that they carefully considered Donald Trump’s decision to run for president. They extensively discussed the impact on their family and the heightened public scrutiny. Despite initial hesitations, she writes, she supported his decision, believing in his vision for the country.
(Shortform note: In our guide, we refer to Melania Trump as Melania and to Donald Trump as Trump.)
(Shortform note: For decades, Trump toyed with the idea of running for president, often repeating themes that would later define his political identity. As early as the 1980s, on platforms like CNN’s “Larry King” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” he voiced frustration with perceived trade imbalances and criticized countries like Japan for exploiting US generosity, particularly regarding trade and defense costs. Trump predicted that his strongest support would come from the working class—a declaration he made as early as a 1990 Playboy interview. Although he often denied plans to run for office, he left the door open; his presidential ambitions resurfaced in several election cycles despite changing party affiliations and his stance on abortion.)
On June 16, 2015, Trump announced his candidacy for President. The image of Trump and Melania descending the Trump Tower escalator symbolized their transition from celebrity and fashion to the political arena. Recognizing how this new chapter would transform their lives, especially for their young son, Barron, Melania writes that she was committed to supporting her family in a new era amid heightened media scrutiny.
(Shortform note: Trump’s ascent to the Republican nomination in 2016 took many by surprise. When he announced his candidacy, Trump tapped into voter dissatisfaction with a focus on immigration and trade. His status as a political outsider, coupled with a provocative media strategy, amplified his appeal. Populist messages, such as a proposed border wall, resonated with voters feeling marginalized. The crowded GOP primary field also worked in his favor, as it split the traditional vote.)
Melania faced intense media scrutiny as Trump’s campaign gained momentum, particularly after he secured the Republican nomination in May 2016. Her role at the Republican National Convention, where she was accused of using plagiarized material in her speech, highlighted the need to manage her public image actively.
(Shortform note: The speech Melania delivered at the 2016 Republican National Convention faced immediate scrutiny due to its striking similarities to Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention address. Key phrases and themes, including those about working hard for what you want and the values instilled by her parents, were almost identical in both speeches. The Trump campaign acknowledged the similarities, attributing them to an oversight. A Trump staff writer, Meredith McIver, later accepted responsibility for the error. McIver explained that Melania had mentioned she admired Michelle Obama, and the writer included passages from Obama’s speech in Melania’s draft without proper attribution.)
Throughout the campaign, Melania endured relentless attention, including the resurfacing of the nude modeling photos and false allegations about her past. She describes these reports as revealing the predatory nature of media coverage. Determined to protect her reputation, Melania successfully sued publications, including the Daily Mail, for spreading misinformation.
(Shortform note: The Daily Mail settled libel lawsuits with Melania for $2.9 million in April 2017 over an article falsely claiming she had worked as an escort and misrepresenting her first meeting with Trump. Melania filed suits in the US and UK, initially seeking $150 million for lost business opportunities. The Daily Mail retracted all allegations and apologized. This settlement followed a similar case earlier that year against a Maryland blogger who had published the same claims.)
Melania says she felt immensely proud when the family realized Trump had won the election. She also remained determined to shield her family, especially Barron, age nine at the time, from undue media attention. She writes that she approached this journey with a strong sense of duty, maintaining her resolve to support her husband while contributing to his vision for the country.
(Shortform note: Reports following the 2016 presidential election suggested Melania was surprised and emotional when it became evident Trump would win. Some sources claimed she had expected him to lose and was initially upset by the prospect of becoming first lady. The White House dismissed these claims, insisting she was supportive and confident of his victory. Reports indicated that Melania didn’t initially desire the first lady role. But, later, both she and Trump stated that she had embraced her duties.)
