Is it right to ask spouses to support each other, regardless of interest?
Melania Trump is in an interesting predicament.
After years of watching her husband flip-flop between pursuing a presidential bid or not, Donald Trump finally threw his hat in the ring and came out victorious.
The Trumps traveled an unconventional road to the White House, but I won’t get into what Donald did. I’m here to talk about Melania.
There was plenty of sexism on the campaign trail, most of it aimed at Hillary Clinton. But, Melania had her fair share of sexist poo thrown at her and no one seemed to do anything.
Maybe it’s because her husband is an unconventional, divisive candidate. Maybe it’s because she wasn’t born in America, is a beautiful, capable woman or maybe it’s because people are really, really mean.
But let’s get one thing straight — Melania didn’t choose the White House life, her husband did.
In doing so, he thrust her into the spotlight. Granted, she knew she’d be enduring a little spotlight when she married Donald. But the spotlight got bigger, brighter and nastier during the campaign.
This is what I think happened:
Donald decided to run for president, mostly as an ironic, YOLO-type joke.
Melania listened quietly as Donald, laughingly, told her his plan to troll America.
Melania nodded, smiled and said, “Good for you Donald.”
In her head, she thought, “I’m just not sure about being first lady and giving up my life.”
She wouldn’t have said this out loud, because she was supporting her husband, much like friends support friends, even if they get a tattoo of a Chinese character on their wrist.
Then he started winning.
Until the Republican National Convention, Melania kept a low profile. She appeared impeccably dressed in public and smiled demurely at the crowds.
Melania has made it clear in interviews with multiple sources that her main focus is being a mother to her son. Before the campaign, she attended events and was a semi-regular public figure, but has always preferred to focus on family.
Full-on Melania bashing appeared after her speech at the Republican National Convention, where parts of her speech where plagiarized from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention speech.
As one of my friends pointed out, the speech was about 90 percent underwhelming and 10 percent plagiarized, but it does not give anyone permission to criticize Melania’s appearance, English proficiency, nationality or heritage.
Being an asshole is still being an asshole, even if the target belongs to a rival political party.
Melania made it clear her first duty was to be a mother, not to be a politician’s wife. It makes sense too, because in 1998, she married a businessman, not a politician.
And as much as a spouse should support their husband, how far is too far? Should Melania give up her quiet life as Barron’s mother and social event attendee to shake hands with diplomats and pose for photos?
Some would say yes. However, I disagree. She did not sign up for that lifestyle. In an interview with GQ, Melania made it clear she and her husband have defined roles in their relationship. She raises their son and he works. That is the life Melania chose and wanted.
Now, there’s no doubt Melania would pick some dope China patterns. But it’s pretty clear she could care less.
While a Hillary Clinton presidency would have shattered large parts of the glass ceiling, I think Melania’s first lady-ship will add some cracks in other areas. Future first women and men of the country could be free to create their own job description, their own life. And if that isn’t the American dream, I don’t know what is.
Tess Fox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @tesstakesphotos