Kathrine Frich
It has been a 20-Year Marriage Full of Highs and Lows
It has been a 20-year marriage full of highs and lows
Donald and Melania Trump have been married for two decades, navigating a relationship that’s seen both glamour and gossip.
From their early dating days to life in the White House, speculation about the state of their marriage has never been far behind.
A Relationship That Almost Didn’t Start
Their first meeting in New York was anything but straightforward. Melania initially refused to give Donald her number because he was with another woman.
But Donald persisted, giving her every number he had. including direct lines to Mar-a-Lago and his office.
The First Date: Business Meets Romance
Melania once described their first date as “very nice”, even if it included a stop at a property Trump was eyeing in New Jersey.
The long car ride allowed them to connect without the distractions of paparazzi or aides, something rare in Donald’s high-profile world.
A Brief Breakup and Political Ambitions
In 2000, the couple briefly split. Melania later confirmed that Donald’s flirtation with running for president via the Reform Party contributed to the distance.
They reunited after he exited the race, and their relationship appeared stronger for it.
Tying the Knot in 2005
Their wedding was a lavish affair, filled with celebrity guests, haute couture, and musical performances.
Despite some rocky patches before the ceremony, the pair officially became husband and wife, setting off a new chapter that would one day include the White House.
The Secret Behind Their Lasting Bond
Melania’s former friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff shared insight into what keeps the Trumps together: low pressure. Unlike Donald’s previous wives,
Melania didn’t demand emotional attention or a business role, which Wolkoff says has helped the relationship endure.
Rumors and a Marriage Under the Microscope
Despite their public appearances, multiple reports and books, including Michael Wolff’s All or Nothing, have claimed Melania is emotionally distant and uninterested in Donald’s political life.
One source reportedly even said, “She f***ing hates him.”
A Rare Public Display of Affection
During Pope Francis’s funeral, Donald and Melania surprised onlookers with a notably warm interaction.
Body language experts observed rare moments of eye contact, gentle touches, and laughter, an emotional contrast to their often stoic public image.
Their Nightly Ritual: Dinner Together
An insider revealed that Donald and Melania eat dinner together every night, a tradition they maintained even while sleeping in separate bedrooms during their White House years.
The arrangement is likened to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s: unconventional, but intimate.
Separate Bedrooms, But Not Separate Lives
Despite sleeping apart, a fact confirmed by staffers and insiders, the Trumps are said to maintain a close companionship.
Staff reportedly noticed a “good vibe” between them during Trump’s presidency, contradicting claims of a cold or transactional marriage.
The McDonald’s Rumor and a Locked Door
Back in 2018, Michael Wolff claimed Trump would lock himself in his room to eat fast food and watch multiple TVs.
While that bizarre image made headlines, newer reports suggest a different reality: one of nightly routines and quiet time shared over meals.
Melania’s Take on Donald: Past and Present
From calling their first meeting “magnetic” to insisting there’s a “spark,” Melania has offered varying accounts of their early chemistry.
Whether this reflects changing sentiment or media strategy remains up for debate.
Silent but Strategic: Melania’s Political Distance
Melania has largely stayed off the campaign trail, appearing only once in 2023. According to All or Nothing, she laughed off efforts to get her involved.
Her absence may be strategic, shielding her from scrutiny while maintaining personal boundaries.
Staffers Speak: Inside the Trump Residence
White House staff from Trump’s first term described the couple as pleasant to work with, noting no signs of marital tension.
The residence staff reportedly found the atmosphere around them calm, further suggesting that public perception may not reflect reality.