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

Melania Trump speaks at Republican National Convention

(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

last updated 19 July 2016

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."

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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."

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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.