Donald Trump and Melania Trump have shared an extended, eventful journey that spans a long time — from their first assembly to changing into America’s First Household.
As a pair, they’ve weathered the general public highlight, quite a few political campaigns, and even an assassination try in latest months. Right here’s a have a look at some pivotal moments of their relationship and public life.
1998: A Trend-Week Introduction
Donald Trump and Melania Knauss first crossed paths in 1998 at a New York Trend Week social gathering organised by former modelling agent Paolo Zampolli. Though Trump attended the social gathering with one other date, he was instantly drawn to Melania and requested for her quantity.
In a 2016 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Melania recalled her response: “He needed my quantity, however he was with a date, so in fact I didn’t give it to him… I mentioned, ‘I’m not supplying you with my quantity; you give me yours, and I’ll name you.’” Trump handed over all his contact numbers, and he or she ultimately reached out. “I used to be struck by his power,” she later mentioned. “He has an incredible sense of vitality.”
2000: A Transient Cut up and Political Foray
In 2000, as Trump made his first try at presidential politics by vying for the Reform Social gathering nomination, the couple quickly parted methods. Trump instructed The New York Instances, “Melania is an incredible lady, a terrific lady, a terrific lady… And she or he might be missed.” Nevertheless, the break up was temporary, and so they quickly reunited, with Melania again by his facet.
2004: The Proposal on the Met Gala
The Met Gala served because the backdrop for Trump’s proposal to Melania in 2004. After attending the glamorous occasion, Trump shocked her with an engagement ring. “It was a terrific shock,” Melania instructed the New York Publish then. “We’re very pleased collectively.”
2005: Marriage ceremony Bells in Palm Seashore
In January 2005, Donald and Melania exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Seashore, Florida. Their marriage ceremony reception included a bunch of high-profile company.
Reflecting on their marriage ceremony, Melania instructed Larry King a couple of hours after the nuptials that it was a “incredible” day, including, “We had a good time.” The newlyweds selected to remain at Mar-a-Lago for his or her honeymoon, with Trump saying, “Why depart our attractive, lovely home…?”
2006: The Delivery of Their Son, Barron
The Trumps welcomed their son, Barron, on March 20, 2006. Trump, identified for his business-first method, mentioned in an interview with Larry King, “I could by no means see the children, frankly… She might be an unbelievable mom. I’ll be father, however I’ll be, you already know, doing my offers.”
2016-21: The Presidency Years and Transition
In 2016, Donald Trump launched into a profitable marketing campaign for the U.S. presidency. Melania supported him, calling him a “onerous employee” and a “nice chief.”
Trump additionally praised her, telling supporters in Wisconsin, “She’s an unimaginable mom… and I’ve to say, she’s going to make an unbelievable First Girl.”
Whereas Donald Trump was sworn in because the forty fifth President in January 2017, Melania and Barron waited till June to hitch him in Washington, D.C., after Barron accomplished his faculty 12 months. Their transfer to the White Home marked a brand new chapter within the couple’s public life, which ended solely after the Trumps moved out of it.
2023: Donald Trump on Melania’s Function in His Marketing campaign
As Donald Trump introduced his run for the presidency once more in 2024, he addressed questions on Melania’s involvement on the marketing campaign path. In a Meet the Press interview, he shared, “She’s a non-public individual, a terrific individual, very assured… she’ll be, on the applicable time, on the market.” Trump additionally admitted, “Truthfully, I wish to preserve her away from it. It’s so nasty and so imply.”
2024: Assassination Try and Melania’s Assertion
In July 2024, an tried assassination of Donald Trump left the nation shaken. Melania expressed her emotions in a heartfelt assertion: “After I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s life, had been getting ready to devastating change,” she wrote. She additionally thanked the Secret Service brokers and regulation enforcement officers for his or her bravery. Later, Melania joined Trump on stage on the Republican Nationwide Conference, the place he publicly thanked her for her help.