Donald Trump G7 disaster How Melania Trump saved the day

Donald Trump G7 disaster How Melania Trump saved the day



AS DONALD Trump tore down relationships during his international debut as United States President at last week’s disastrous G7 summitt, his wife gained new ground in her own “coming-out party”.

Just four months into Mr Trump’s Presidency, we know much about his controversial administration, but, as CNN put it, the trip was “especially telling” about Melania Trump, given we actually know quite little about the Slovenian beauty.

In fact it might have been just as telling for the President, who on-board Air Force one was reportedly overheard describing his wife as “Jackie O on steroids”.

So powerful is the First Lady’s influence on her husband, she is apparently “the best hope for White House advisers who are trying to convince President Donald Trump to tweet less”.

It’s good timing, considering Mrs Trump is finally set to move into the White House next month.

On the nine-day foreign trip, which took the Trumps to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Belgium and Italy and which ended with leaders split on climate change, Mr Trump managed to offend many of the United State’s friends, despite calling it a “home run” for the United States.

There was the time he ignored the Italian Prime Minister’s speech. And he shoved Montenegro’s Prime Minister out of the way so he can get a better spot within the pack.

The awkward handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron certainly did not help, neither did that disastrous NATO speech.



But for the Mrs Trump, 47, even a fashion fail like a veil couldn’t stand in her way.

While President Trump’s meeting with the Pope in the Apostolic Palace was a social media nightmare, a “solemn” looking Pope sprung a smile upon meeting Melania.

“What do you give him to eat? Potica?” The Pope asked Melania in a reference to a native dessert from her hometown.

A surprised Mrs. Trump replied “Potica?” Then smiled. “Yes!”

It was a simple icebreaker that saved the day. The Pope would later bless a rosary for her and send her on her way.

But that small moment in time says something about Melania; despite seeming stoic, frozen and downcast at times, Melania may well be Trump’s secret weapon.

“Often cast as a reluctant First Lady, [Melania] emerged from her husband’s long shadow and strode onto the world stage,” wrote The Telegraph.

“It finally gave an inquisitive American public a taste of what kind of First Lady she will be, where her priorities will lie, and also the best peek yet into the internal dynamic of the Trump marriage.”



Although she was seen following Mr Trump on most occasions during their nine-day trip — and that awkward hand tap — she was the “supporting player who occasionally stole the spotlight,” according to the New York Times.

“She’s already shown that although public speaking might not be something she’s entirely comfortable with just yet, the actions she does take are genuine, and a window into the kind of person she is,” Anita McBride, who served as chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush in the White House, told CNN.

“She clearly and very carefully selected what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go on this trip, consistent with the types of activities she’s done back at home. She’s choosing things where it is something she cares about.”

The Times is right; as soon as Mrs Trump stepped off Air Force one in Saudi Arabia, in a Stella McCartney black jumpsuit accompanied by a chunky gold belt, she made heads turn.

In fact it’s not dissimilar to how Michelle Obama wooed the international press, it’s what CNN described as a “fashion diplomacy tactic”.