Nicolai Haugsted
Melania Trump’s personal frustration with Donald revealed years later.
Donald Trump’s working relationships with female aides have drawn renewed attention to an old report about tensions inside his marriage during his first presidency.
First Lady Melania Trump reportedly became frustrated by coverage surrounding Hope Hicks, the former model who rose to prominence as one of Trump’s closest aides during his first campaign and administration.
Reports later characterized Melania’s delayed move to Washington following Trump’s 2017 inauguration as partly connected to her dissatisfaction with the women surrounding her husband. However, Melania herself has publicly offered a very different picture of their relationship.
Hope Hicks drew attention during first Trump term
Hicks entered Trump’s political operation without previous experience in government or politics. At 26, she served as press secretary for his 2016 presidential campaign before becoming a longtime aide.
Her appearance also attracted considerable media attention because of comparisons between Hicks and Melania.
According to Irish Star via. reporting cited by The Howl, repeated coverage portraying Hicks as a Melania lookalike irritated the future first lady. The outlet claimed Melania “stewed” over the attention.
Reports subsequently described Melania’s decision to wait roughly six months before moving permanently to Washington as “punishment for the political girls that surrounded him.”
Trump himself reportedly joked about the tension with a friend, referring to the infamous Massachusetts bridge associated with Senator Ted Kennedy’s 1969 Chappaquiddick incident.
“She’d like me to go over a Chappaquiddick bridge with Hope,” Trump reportedly said.
Another aide attracts comparisons
Renewed interest in the old reports comes as another woman working closely with Trump has attracted attention during his second presidency.
Photographer Margo Martin has frequently appeared alongside the president and has occasionally been mistaken for Melania during public appearances.
Trump has previously described Martin as “the most beautiful photographer in the world.”
No public statement from Melania suggests that Martin’s presence has created similar tensions. Claims about Melania’s reported reaction to Hicks therefore relate to Trump’s first presidency rather than evidence of a current disagreement between the couple.
Melania also maintained a relatively limited public presence during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign compared with many previous candidates’ spouses.
Melania describes a ‘beautiful relationship’
Public comments from the first lady have contradicted suggestions that the couple currently have serious marital difficulties.
During an appearance on Fox & Friends this year, Melania was asked what she loves most about her husband.
“His being,” she replied.
Melania expanded on her answer by pointing to several qualities she associates with the president.
“His humor, his personality, his kindness. He’s very special. His positivity. His energy, it’s unbelievable. Yeah, so we have a beautiful relationship.”
Asked to describe Trump using a single word, Melania chose “caring,” adding that she particularly meant his attitude toward the United States.
The couple married in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2005 and have one son, Barron.
Melania also offered a relatively ordinary description of how they spend private time together, saying they “have dinner” and sometimes enjoy a quiet meal alone or eat with friends while listening to music.
