Melania Trump, introduced by husband Donald, introduces herself to GOP, nation


Donald Trump made his first appearance at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday night, to introduce his wife, Melania Trump. It was a dramatic entrance, aided by the European glam-rock group Queen:
Trump called his wife "an amazing mother, an incredible woman," and Melania Trump returned the compliment, calling him "an amazing leader" who is kind and "intensely loyal" to his friends, families, and employees. She also took a moment to honor Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), the only living Republican presidential nominee to attend Trump's convention. But because Donald Trump is already pretty well-known, she spent much of her speech introducing herself, from her childhood in Slovenia through her modeling career and finally her relationship with Trump.
"I am fortunate for my heritage but also for where it brought me today," she said, calling her American citizenship — she was naturalized in 2006, a year after marrying Trump — "the greatest privilege on planet Earth." Her parents, she said, instilled in her values like "you work hard for what you want in life." She said that as first lady, her focus would be "helping children and women."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Melania Trump said that her husband wants to represent "all the people, not just some of the people," including Jews, Muslims, Hispanics, the poor, and the middle class, and said that he thinks big: "No room for small thinking. No room for small results." Touching on the security theme of the night, she said, "If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I assure you, he's the guy," and previewed the fight against Hillary Clinton: "It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling