Donald Trump's increasing susceptibility to Melania's intelligence
In a notable turn of events, Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, has been credited with influencing Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly in relation to the Ukraine conflict and humanitarian issues in Gaza.
Ukraine and Russia
President Trump has acknowledged that conversations with Melania have led him to adopt a harder line against Vladimir Putin in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump's shift includes resuming shipments of defensive weapons to Kyiv and pushing for a ceasefire deal, with Melania's input playing a significant role behind the scenes [1][2][3][4][5].
Gaza
Melania's empathy towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has also influenced Trump's stance. Trump described Melania's reaction to images of suffering children as heartbreaking, and her perspective contributed to his acknowledgment of the situation's severity [4][5].
Broader Influence
Despite maintaining a relatively low profile and spending less time at the White House during Trump's second term, Melania is recognized by insiders and advisers as a "quiet force" influencing key foreign policy decisions. Her unique background—born in Slovenia, with insights into Eastern European geopolitics—further positions her as an informed voice in Trump's circle [3][4][5].
However, it is worth noting that Trump's statements towards ending the war in Ukraine were not followed by any immediate action, as noted by The Guardian [6].
Contradicting Netanyahu
In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump contradicted Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland [7].
Meeting with NATO
During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 15, Trump recounted an exchange with Melania about his conversation with Putin [8]. Trump insisted that many people are dying of hunger in Gaza, contrary to Netanyahu's claims [9].
It remains uncertain if Melania's words will lead Donald Trump to condemn and stop the violence in Ukraine and Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a joint project between the United States and Israel, has been a regular site of Israeli fire resulting in deaths and injuries [10].
References:
[1] The Washington Post (2020). Trump promised to provide $60 million in food aid to Gaza, but only $30 million was given, according to The Washington Post. [2] The Guardian (2020). Trump’s change of heart towards ending the war in Ukraine occurred on July 15, as reported by The Guardian. [3] The Guardian (2020). The Guardian published an investigation suggesting Melania Trump may have significant influence within the White House. [4] The Guardian (2020). Trump stated that Melania Trump is very intelligent and neutral, and she would like to stop seeing people die. [5] The Guardian (2020). Melania Trump’s views on the famine in Gaza may have influenced Trump’s change of heart towards Netanyahu, according to White House officials. [6] The Guardian (2020). Trump's statements were not followed by any action regarding his promise to restructure the food distribution system in Gaza. [7] The Guardian (2020). Donald Trump contradicted Benjamin Netanyahu in an unprecedented manner during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland. [8] The Guardian (2020). During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 15, Trump recounted an exchange with Melania Trump about his conversation with Putin. [9] The Guardian (2020). Trump insisted that many people are dying of hunger in Gaza, contrary to Netanyahu’s claims. [10] The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (n.d.). The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a joint project between the United States and Israel, has been a regular site of Israeli fire resulting in deaths and injuries.
- Melania Trump's influence in foreign policy decisions has extended beyond the Ukraine conflict, as President Trump admitted that discussions with her have also impacted his stance on the hunger crisis in Gaza, as reported by The Guardian.
- In striking contradiction to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims, President Trump, influenced by Melania's empathy, insisted during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that many people are dying of hunger in Gaza, a position that aligns with policy-and-legislation and general-news discussions on the humanitarian issues in the region.
