Melania versus Ivanka:

Venomous power struggle for the role of first lady

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25.02.2024 13:10

"Game of Thrones" is nothing compared to how Melania Trump and her stepdaughter Ivanka are said to have fought each other behind the walls of the White House during Donald Trump's presidency.

A new book exposes the women's "secret enmity" after Trump's daughter Ivanka sought to act as a kind of second first lady and became a threat to Melania.

The former model, who has been married to Trump since 2005, would have spent her four years in the White House almost exclusively waging a war against Ivanka Trump - only taking breaks to renegotiate her marriage contracts with her presidential husband, according to a report in the "New York Post" in the book "American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady".

Donald Trump kisses his daughter Ivanka on the cheek while his wife Melania looks away. (Bild: APA / JIM WATSON / AFP)
Donald Trump kisses his daughter Ivanka on the cheek while his wife Melania looks away.

"Internal power struggle"
In the biography, journalist Katie Rogers describes a years-long "internal power struggle" between the two women for the role of First Lady, which is usually held by the wife of the US President. 

Ivanka, however, would have tried to take over duties with her father's support immediately after his election victory and she wanted to remodel the East Wing of the White House to suit her needs. 

The eldest Trump daughter even began the renovation work while her stepmother Melania was still in New York to ensure that her son Barron, then 10 years old, could finish the school year.

"First Family" instead of "First Lady"
The eldest daughter had plans to more or less abolish the position of first lady by taking over her quarters so that it could be "centered on the entire first family and not just the first lady," Rogers writes. 

President Trump didn't mind any of this at all, even telling reporters at the beginning of his term that his daughter would "help and work with" his wife in carrying out her duties as first lady.

Ivanka Trump (Bild: www.PPS.at)
Ivanka Trump

Jacket with a message
The real First Lady is said to have subsequently obsessively monitored media reports and social media postings. In turn, she sent more or less subtle messages to her young arch-enemy.

Do you remember the infamous jacket with the inscription "I really don't care, do u?"? Loosely translated, "I don't care, do you?"

According to the book, it wasn't about the migrant children at the Mexican border she visited in the jacket at the time. The piece claims Melania used the jacket as a subtle jab at Ivanka, who was getting a lot of press attention at the time.

Melania Trum at the Mexican border. (Bild: APA/AFP/MANDEL NGAN)
Melania Trum at the Mexican border.

Money rules the world
Power struggles didn't stop there: While Melania fought for her first lady role, she also met frequently with lawyers to focus on her pre and post-nuptial agreements with Trump. Financial security for herself and her son was and is a big priority. It is unclear where she stands on her husband's renewed presidential ambitions. In any case, she is conspicuous by her absence during the election campaign.  

However, she is said to still be in contact with the White House and exchanges birthday cards with her successor Jill Biden. 

Donald Trump on stage with his wife Melania (Bild: Associated Press)
Donald Trump on stage with his wife Melania

Model and fashion designer
Melania Trump, who comes from Slovenia, was First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021. She was previously a model and fashion designer and married Donald Trump in 2005.

During her time in the White House, she focused on initiatives such as cyber security and the welfare of children. However, she was also known for her reserved and distant relationship with her husband.

Eldest daughter
Ivanka Trump is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump and his first wife Ivana Trump. She is a businesswoman, author and former model.

Ivanka Trump played an important role in the White House during her father's presidency. She served as an advisor to her father and had her own office in the West Wing. She also served in various diplomatic missions.

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