Posted on 06/20/2020 12:35:08 PM PDT by Kaslin
The worst thing one of Mary Jordans claimed 100 sources had to say about Melania Trump is that shes 'stubborn.' No arguments there.
There are no major bombshells in Mary Jordans new biography of Melania Trump, The Art of Her Deal. Jordan merely reaffirms what weve always known about the First Ladyshes a cool head in an unsteady world, and the ultimate poster girl for soft power.
The worst thing one of Jordans 100 sources had to say about Trump is that shes stubborn. No arguments there. Like an alabaster Greek statue, Melania stays strong and unflappably elegant as her remarkably improbable life unfolds.
Jordan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter with The Washington Post who has told interviewers that Melania is the most enigmatic personality shes ever tried to crack. Since the books release on Monday, the media has been gunning for a portrait of a marriage in turmoil, but Jordan admits that theres a real connection there. When Trump finishes a rally or major event, his first call is to Melania.
The First Ladys office did not reply to Jordans requests for interviews or fact checks, and has derided the book as fiction. But dont expect that to slow sales. Melania-watching and code-cracking has a cult following.
President Trumps re-election aides would do well to learn from Mrs. Trumps life and use her on the campaign trail. Hers is the most American of American dreams, although Melania became an American citizen through legal means in 2006. (Jordan reveals, however, that the presidents wife has also maintained her Slovenian citizenship, and obtained a dual passport for her son.) No one can speak to the evils of socialismand the virtues of capitalismquite like she can.
Born in socialist Yugoslavia in 1970, Melanias childhood was defined by a country that valued conformity and sameness, much like the radical Twitter mobs of today. The government promoted equality, families of the same size lived in apartments of the same size. Every building seemed to be painted the color of a storm cloud. Workers went to the same factories, shopped in the same stores, Jordan writes. And everybody worshipped the same dictator, Comrade Josip Broz Tito.
As a child, wearing an identical uniform as her classmates, Melania was forced to pledge allegiance to Tito, reciting, with Tito we go forward, that I shall love my country, self-managing socialist Yugoslavia Shortly after Titos death, Ronald Reagan swept into the White House, leaving a lasting impression on the young girl.
It began to feel like morning around the world, even in my small country, she recalled in 2016. As the Cold War collapsed, Melania was awakening to a new political reality, and her peers were seeing a beauty in the making. By the time she reached her teens, she was five-foot-nine-and-a-half inches tall, and a willowy 121 pounds, according to Jordans records.
A modeling career was beckoning. She had the eyes of a tigress, one editor said. Jordan charts Melanias journey through Milan, Paris, and New York City in the fashion world. Melania, however, emerges as a clean-living homebody.
Unlike her model colleagues, she avoided drinking, drugging, and rock stars, although Jordan does discuss a steamy photo shoot in which our first lady posed in the buff. (Come on, admit it. If you had a body like that, youd show it off too.) When Melania met Trump in the late 90s, she was fully formed as the confident woman we know today. So confident, it turns out, that she rebuffed Trumps initial overtures.
As a wife, Jordan writes, Trump has come to find Melanias judgment and calm valuable. As a presidential spouse, shes as shrewd as Lady Macbethminus the histrionics. Melania is not one to yell or throw lamps, Jordan writes, even when her husband or West Wing staffers deserve her wrath. Kellyanne Conway, by the way, is on her good list. Reince Priebus and Ivanka Trump, according to Jordan, not so much.
You are gone if Melania doesnt like you, she writes. One of the most lethal places to find oneself is in Melanias crosshairs.
It was Melanias positive reaction to Mike Pence that sealed his fate as Trumps vice presidential picka choice that has been one of the presidents best decisions. Chris Christine, one of the men who joined Pence on the VP short list, still speaks highly of her. Their relationship dates back to when she was Trumps girlfriend.
Shes no wallflower, Christine told Jordan. The idea that she is not a big influence in the administration is just dead wrong. And Melania could be the key to pushing him over the finish line in November.
Like Hillary, for instance.
It’s not even close.
Do they mean Chris Christie?
Reminds me a lot of Jackie O.
The elegant Jackie O was the hot rich girl next door type. Malania is the super model type.
Exactly.
Huh?
NBC Op-Ed: Melania Trump isn't a liberal punchline. How a model became a despot's wife.
Is the columnist an idiot? She doesn’t know who Chris Christie is?
And the characteristic of “stubborn” is more likely “strong.”
Overall doesn’t sound like the book is a hit piece, so that’s good.
Hotter than the surface of the sun!
Actually Hillary just orders people to “kill” themselves, ya know, with 2 bullets to the back of the head
A real lady.
People here are denying the Melania would have renegotiated her prenup
I think that is exactly what she would have done. It was a smart move.
I doubt Donald trades her in after he is no longer President..but he has done it before. Rupert Murdoch is an old codger and he remarried
Well I never.
You haven’t heard? “Chris Christine” is the ex-Gov’s post-transition name. We wish “her” well.
(kidding, kidding)
If NBC says turn left, turn right with all your might. NBC is worse than Pravda.
Watching any TV news these days is like watching Vremya.
Yes.
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