Melania Trump's tiny Slovenian hometown celebrates her historic move to the White House


Melania Trump will be the only first lady in 191 years to have been born outside the United States — preceded only by John Quincy Adams' wife, Louisa Adams, who was born in England when the U.S. was still a colony. The inhabitants of Trump's tiny hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, are thrilled by her historic move to the White House: "I guess Sevnica will become more attractive to tourists now," one of Trump's former neighbors, Zlata, told CNN. "People will finally know that Slovenia is not Slovakia."
"I like that she won, I'm so happy for her," Trump's friend Nena Bedek said. "I came to school today, and the kids asked if I saw it on TV. They all rushed in and shouted, 'Did you see, did you see?' I hope she doesn't forget about us and that she brings her son to Sevnica."
Many others also cited their excitement at finding Sevnica suddenly on the map. "It's good for us and for Melania. It's good for our town and our wine," wine salesman David Kozinc said. "We will probably make wine and call it 'Trump.' It is very nice that people will now know where Sevnica is."
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Local shoemaker Tatjana Sinkovek also expressed pride in the future first lady. "We are already and designing and making a new shoe for her to wear in the White House," Sinkovek said. "She will get them for the new year."
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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