CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour has taken issue with former First Lady Melania Trump’s recent criticisms of the mainstream media. The rare direct interaction between the esteemed journalist and the ex-first lady occurred following Melania’s comments during a Fox News interview.
During her first major media interview in over two years, Melania accused the mainstream media of creating a hostile environment by labeling her husband, former President Donald Trump, as a “threat to democracy” and using derogatory names to describe him. She suggested that such rhetoric encouraged individuals to harm the former president.
The interview, conducted by co-host Ainsley Earhardt on “Fox and Friends” aired on September 26, 2024.
However, Amanpour, a distinguished international correspondent for CNN, refuted these allegations robustly. Posting on social media platform X, Amanpour expressed that Melania was “mistaken” and that “political violence is not the fault of the ‘mainstream media.'” She implored the former First Lady to retract her “false and dangerous accusation.”
This incident underscores ongoing strains between the Trump family and major news outlets, a relationship marked by conflict since Donald Trump’s political career began in 2015. Trump and his allies have consistently criticized mainstream media, often branding them as “fake news” and “the enemy of the people.”
It’s not the first time Amanpour has covered Melania-related stories. In June 2020, she interviewed Mary Jordan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author of “The Art of Her Deal,” an unauthorized biography of Melania Trump. In the conversation on her PBS program “Amanpour and Company,” she examined Jordan’s depiction of Melania as a significant political influence within the White House.
The recent disagreement between Amanpour and Melania comes amid a heightened examination of the role of media in shaping public understanding and political dialogue. Melania’s Fox News interview, which coincided with her new book promotion, discussed several contentious topics, including purported “assassination attempts” against Donald Trump.
Melania claimed in her interview that the media remained “quiet” following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July. She insinuated the existence of conspiracy theories relating to attempts on her husband’s life, further stoking debates about media coverage and its influence on public opinion.
In her rebuttal, Amanpour not only rejected the idea that media criticism led to such incidents, but also highlighted that Donald Trump has “regularly engaged in violent rhetoric against people who disagree with him” throughout his political career.
The Amanpour-Melania interaction also draws attention to the wider discussion about public figures’ responsibility in addressing political violence and the potential repercussions of rhetoric targeting media organizations. As the US grapples with polarization and threats to democratic institutions, the role of politicians and journalists in shaping public opinion is under intense scrutiny.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of interactions between the Trump family and the media. Throughout Trump’s presidency and beyond, there have been numerous clashes between him, his family, and various news organizations, often revolving around accusations of bias, unfair treatment, and the spread of misinformation.
Melania also discussed personal matters during the interview. She revealed that her son, Barron, has decided to attend university in New York City while living at the family’s home. When questioned about having more children, Melania stated she was satisfied with one, despite her husband encouraging her to have more.
Her portrayal of her husband as a “family man” during the Fox News interview drew divergent reactions. While supporters lauded her loyalty, critics pointed to Donald Trump’s history of public controversies and allegations of infidelity.
Melania, attributing her resilience to her experience in the fashion industry, defended her past modeling career, including nude photoshoots, arguing that the human form should be celebrated. She credited this background for giving her the “thick skin” necessary to endure the intense scrutiny that came with her White House role.
Melania also took the opportunity to criticize the current administration, suggesting that the country is “suffering” under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She cited issues such as inflation, ongoing wars, and border security concerns as evidence of what she perceives as a decline since her husband left office.
“The economy was great. We had no wars. The border was great. We had a great country,” Melania stated, contrasting the current state of affairs with her husband’s tenure.
Looking ahead, Melania hinted that a second Trump presidency might not be as disruptive as the first, mentioning there might be “maybe some, you know, strong tweets. But everything else great for this country.”
Melania’s new book was released on October 8.