Melania Trump, the former First Lady, has released a promotional video for her forthcoming memoir where she criticizes the existing administration and defends her husband’s freedom of speech. The short video, published on Sunday, provides an insight into Mrs. Trump’s thoughts on the current state of the nation after leaving the White House.
In the video, the 54-year-old Melania Trump addresses several issues she perceives as problematic in the United States today. Speaking directly into the camera, with her words appearing on screen for emphasis, she states that the outcome of the 2020 presidential election has fundamentally changed their lives.
The former First Lady discusses the widespread impacts of this change, indicating a decline in the overall living standards for many Americans. She specifically points out the increasing costs of essential items such as food and gasoline, which have become increasingly burdensome for households. Additionally, she voices concerns about the worsening safety conditions in the country.
While she does not name President Biden directly, Mrs. Trump criticizes the current administration’s management of domestic and international challenges. She also hints at the changes in the global political landscape since her husband’s departure from office.
The country has indeed been dealing with inflation during President Biden’s term. Moreover, significant international conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, have influenced the geopolitical scene since the 2020 election.
Mrs. Trump voices concern about the state of free speech in the United States, particularly in relation to her husband, former President Donald Trump. “It has become increasingly apparent that there are significant challenges to free speech as demonstrated by efforts to silence my husband,” she said in the rare public statement.
This comment likely refers to various legal obstacles faced by the former president. During his hush money trial in New York City, Mr. Trump, 78, was under a gag order, where he was found guilty of 34 felony charges in June. Trial Judge Juan Merchan extended parts of the gag order until Trump’s sentencing, citing concerns about the former president’s tendency to attack individuals involved in the case. During the trial, Trump was fined $10,000 for violations of the order and faced potential jail time if he continued to violate it.
Notably, Trump’s social media accounts were deactivated after the January 6 riot at the Capitol, although he has since regained access to platforms like X and Facebook.
The promotional video is a part of an extensive marketing plan for Melania Trump’s upcoming autobiography, “Melania.” The simply titled memoir is set to be released on October 8, 2024, with pre-orders priced at $40 allowing readers to secure their copies in advance.
During the video, Mrs. Trump shares her personal motivations for writing her book. She explains that as a private individual who has often been under intense public scrutiny and misrepresentation, she is driven to correct the record. The former First Lady underlines her obligation to present an accurate account of events and clarify any misunderstandings that may have arisen during her time in the public view. This statement reflects her intent to control her narrative and provide readers with what she believes to be the truthful version of her experiences.
According to her website, the memoir promises to include “stories and images never before shared with the public.” The book, marketed as “the powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has defined personal excellence, overcome adversity, and carved her own path,” offers a standard $40 version, signed copies for $75, and a collector’s edition featuring bonus photographs for $250.
“Melania” presales are already leading Amazon’s bestseller list in the US Presidents category. The book’s release is timely, occurring just weeks before the November 5 presidential election, in which Donald Trump is making his third attempt for the presidency, this time running against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Mrs. Trump has made relatively few public appearances during this campaign cycle. She has been seen by her husband’s side only a few times and notably declined an invitation to speak at the Republican National Convention, breaking with the tradition for candidates’ spouses to address the audience.
The decision by the former First Lady to speak out now and share her thoughts on recent events represents a shift from her usual private demeanor. As the release date of her memoir draws closer, it will be interesting to see how the public reacts to her comments and what, if any, effect they may have on the forthcoming election.
