Former First Lady Melania Trump recently took to social media to defend her past modeling career, including her decision to participate in nude photoshoots.
The Economic Times reported that in a series of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter), the former first lady emphasized the role of art in celebrating the human body, using famous artworks to bolster her argument.
Trump, who has faced criticism for her modeling past, shared several iconic examples of nude artwork in an effort to frame her photoshoots as part of a broader artistic tradition.
These artworks included John Collier’s *Lady Godiva*, Jean-Alexandre-Joseph Falguière’s statue of Eve, and Paul Cézanne’s *Les Grandes Baigneuses*.
The former first lady’s modeling career is well-known, particularly her 2000 nude photoshoot for *GQ* magazine.
The shoot, which took place on a private plane owned by her then-boyfriend, Donald Trump, attracted significant attention when it was first published. At the time, Melania and Donald Trump had been dating for two years before eventually marrying in 2005.
Although the shoot included partially nude images, Melania reportedly declined full-frontal nudity. The *GQ* feature was revisited during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, alongside other modeling work of Melania’s, including a 1997 spread in a men’s magazine that resurfaced at the time.
In her posts defending her modeling past, Melania Trump also shared personal reflections about her life as a wife and mother. She posted a nostalgic image of herself with her son, Barron Trump, who is now 18. In the post, she commented on her journey through motherhood and the changes she’s seen over the years.
Melania has maintained a relatively low public profile since leaving the White House, but her recent activity on social media suggests that she is preparing to share more about her personal and professional experiences.
One of her upcoming projects is a memoir that will offer further insights into her life before and during her time as the first lady.
In addition to addressing her past modeling work, Melania used her posts to advocate for a renewed understanding of body positivity.
She framed her experiences in the fashion industry as a celebration of the human form, encouraging people to honor their bodies in ways that align with artistic expression.
The former first lady has often pointed to art as a means of elevating the human body beyond societal judgments. By highlighting famous works such as *Lady Godiva* and Cézanne’s bathers, Melania appears to be drawing parallels between her own photoshoots and these widely respected pieces of art.
Antoine Verglas, a photographer who worked with Melania during her modeling career, has spoken out in her defense.
Verglas described Melania as “a very reserved person” who “was definitely not someone you would see in nightclubs.” He also shared that she was “very nice, very warm” during their time working together, reinforcing the idea that her modeling work was professional and thoughtful.
Verglas' comments help paint a picture of Melania as a private individual, contrasting with the often glamorous and high-profile image associated with her time as a model. His remarks highlight her down-to-earth nature despite her success in the fashion industry.
In addition to her reflections on modeling, Melania Trump raised a more serious issue in her recent promotional content.
She questioned law enforcement's role in a recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, suggesting that more scrutiny was needed. Though she did not provide extensive details in her posts, the topic has sparked conversations about security and safety surrounding the former president.
As Melania prepares to unveil her memoir, many expect that she will provide more details about her modeling career, her life in the public eye, and her time as the first lady.
The memoir is expected to delve into topics that have been less discussed, including her perspectives on motherhood, marriage, and her approach to public life.
Her recent social media activity suggests that Melania is becoming more open to sharing these personal experiences, which may offer a more intimate look at her journey before, during, and after her time in the White House.
