Since her departure from the White House in January 2021, Melania Trump has largely maintained a discreet presence, refraining from overtly commenting on her husband’s second bid for the presidency, aside from endorsing his campaign during a Fox News interview in May. Instead, she has focused on a mix of lucrative ventures and philanthropic projects.
Among her endeavors, Melania received a substantial payment of $155,000 from a Donald Trump-supporting Super PAC for her role as a “design consultant” for one of its dinners, showcasing her eye for detail and aesthetics. Additionally, she ventured into the realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), selling collections inspired by American history on online platforms.
It is worth noting that Melania’s actions are closely monitored, given the backdrop of her husband’s presidential aspirations and legal entanglements. Donald Trump’s announcement of seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in November 2022 has granted him a comfortable lead in polling over contenders like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Consequently, Melania’s actions are bound to draw significant attention during the upcoming presidential race, especially with her husband facing multiple criminal charges.
Despite her husband’s political pursuits, Melania has opted not to appear alongside him at political events since November 2022 when he launched his campaign at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Furthermore, she has been absent from campaign rallies and did not accompany him during his indictment in New York and Florida.
During her time as the first lady, Melania championed her “Be Best” initiative, which sought to support American children and combat the opioid crisis. After leaving the White House, she continued her involvement by backing the “Be Best Fostering the Future” program, which granted university scholarships to children who experienced the foster care system.
Melania has also capitalized on her prominence to earn speaking engagements, receiving generous payments of $250,000 for two separate public appearances in December 2022. These engagements were hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBTQ+ GOP group, and Fix California, a foundation founded by a former Trump administration official.
Her Instagram activity showcases her promotion of NFTs themed around American history, including collections titled “1776” and “Man on the Moon.” However, one collection, released to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, faced criticism for featuring a NASA image, which the agency stated should not be used for NFTs.
In conclusion, Melania Trump’s post-White House life has been marked by a blend of lucrative endeavors, charitable initiatives, and a cautious distance from her husband’s political pursuits, all of which invite both admiration and scrutiny from the public eye.