All articles tagged with #first lady
In a presidential message, the First Lady and the President observe Ash Wednesday, describe Lent’s 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, connect these practices to America’s religious heritage, and extend wishes for a meaningful Lenten season ahead of Easter.
WIRED covered two opening-weekend screening parties for a Melania Trump documentary (Florida and California), noting about $7 million in US box office and Amazon’s roughly $40 million purchase plus marketing. The piece centers on fans who praise Melania’s poise, multilingualism, and initiatives—from AI in schools to military support—while placing the film in the broader immigration debate and noting director Brett Ratner’s controversy.
A glossy but airless documentary portrays Melania Trump as a control-driven, fashion-obsessed figure who dominates staff dress codes, oversees inauguration fittings, and curates private moments with Donald and Barron, while projecting a non-political First Lady image; the film interleaves scenes from events like Arlington Cemetery and St Patrick’s Cathedral with cameos from tech leaders, but the reviewer calls it a dull, self-aggrandizing autohagiography that spends $28m on style over substance and reveals little about actual politics.
A high-budget Melania Trump documentary, produced with her editorial control and backed by a $40 million Amazon MGM Studios deal plus a $35 million marketing budget, opens with 21-city premieres and a companion three-part Prime Video docuseries. The film, directed by Brett Ratner and covering 20 days around her White House return, signals a shift in how a sitting first lady can monetize and narrate her life, while prompting discussion about optics and politics.
A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon-hee to 20 months in prison on corruption-related charges, in a high-profile case that highlights ongoing anti-corruption efforts among the elite; her lawyers plan to appeal.
Cyprus’ first lady Philippa Karsera says she is stepping down from the AFKS charity fund’s management committee, citing an ‘unrelenting attack’ on social media; the move follows a secretly recorded video alleging ways to bypass campaign spending caps, grant access to the president and first lady, and misuse corporate social contributions. The government denies the claims and has sought international help to trace the video’s origin, while the opposition questions donor transparency as coalition allies weigh their support ahead of May elections and the 2028 presidential vote.
Rama Duwaji, wife of NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, maintains a low profile, focusing on her art and behind-the-scenes campaign support, while her potential role as first lady would be historic as the first Gen Z to hold the position and possibly influence her husband's political image with her advocacy and artwork.
Melania Trump has declined an invitation to the White House and is unlikely to reside there full-time if Donald Trump wins a second term. She plans to maintain a low profile, possibly splitting her time between Palm Beach and New York, where her son Barron attends NYU. Melania has expressed a different approach to her role as First Lady, emphasizing her experience and knowledge from her previous tenure. Her memoir reveals her support for abortion rights, contrasting with her husband's stance on the issue.
Melania Trump is set to make a rare appearance at the upcoming GOP convention in Wisconsin, though she is not scheduled to speak. Her absence from her husband Donald Trump's 2024 campaign events has been notable, contrasting with the active role of current First Lady Jill Biden in President Biden's campaign. Despite speculation, Trump has downplayed his wife's limited public involvement, emphasizing that voters focus on the candidate rather than their spouse.
Ukraine's first lady has declined an invitation from President Biden to attend his State of the Union address, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as the reason for her decision.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife, Kim Keon Hee, is embroiled in a scandal over allegedly accepting a $2,200 Christian Dior bag as a gift, sparking a political storm ahead of a crucial election. The controversy has led to plummeting support for Yoon, with public disaffection growing due to the perceived lack of communication and the first lady's alleged misuse of her position. The scandal has caused a rift within the ruling party and is seen as a significant threat to Yoon's governance and the conservative government's hold on power.
First Lady Jill Biden reportedly lashed out at President Biden and his aides after a lengthy 2022 press conference, demanding to know why no one put an end to it. A forthcoming book portrays Jill Biden as her husband's "fiercest protector," suggesting she wants to shield him from difficult situations. This comes amid public scrutiny over the president's advanced age and memory lapses, as well as his refusal to do one-on-one interviews and declining the traditional Super Bowl Sunday network interview for the second straight year.
Jill Biden, the first lady, has been a protective force for her husband, President Biden, as his fitness to run for re-election is questioned following a special counsel report on his handling of classified information. She has worked to shield him from off-the-cuff interactions with reporters and expressed concern about the demands of the presidency. Despite the challenges, she believes it's worth the effort to prevent former President Donald J. Trump from returning to office.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol faces intense political infighting and public discontent as a scandal involving his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, and a luxury Dior handbag worth $2,250 rattles the country's politics. The first lady was secretly filmed accepting the handbag from a U.S.-based pastor, leading to accusations of abuse of power and violations of anti-graft laws. The scandal comes amidst previous allegations against the first lady, causing criticism from within the ruling party and the public, with calls for apologies and official comments from the president's office.
Casey DeSantis, wife of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, played a prominent role in his political life and aspired to be the first lady of the United States. Her involvement in the campaign was both an asset and a liability, with her strong public speaking skills and controversial fashion choices drawing attention. Despite the campaign's collapse, it's likely that Ron DeSantis will run again in 2028, with Casey by his side.