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These 13 photos of Melania Trump defined her image as first lady
These 13 photos of Melania Trump defined her image as first lady
Ellen Cranley,Ellen CranleyFeb 6, 2019, 01:27 IST
Evan Vucci/AP
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First lady Melania Trump has grown from a background actor in her husband's campaign to the second most closely watched figure in the White House.
The public eye follows the first lady at home and abroad, whether she's appearing with President Donald Trump or on her own.
Here are the images that defined her as first lady.
Though she wasn't elected to the position, first lady Melania Trump is one of the most closely watched members of President Donald Trump's inner circle.
Official photographers keep Trump in the public eye at home and abroad, here are some of her most defining photographs that have cemented her image into American culture:
In her first moments as first lady, Trump made a striking appearance at President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, keeping warm in a powder-blue Ralph Lauren coat that drew comparisons to former first lady Jackie Kennedy.
After moving into the White House in June 2017, the first lady became a more regular fixture by the president's side.
The first lady also quickly became a divisive figure, first drawing criticism when she displayed her penchant for pumps while on the way to survey damage from Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
Proving her dedication to both high-end fashion and childhood development, the first lady sported a Balmain plaid shirt that cost more than $1,000 at the time to host local schoolchildren in September 2017 at the White House Kitchen Garden.
Melania's first year assuming the traditional first lady duty of decorating the White House for Christmas included an eye-catching display of white, leafless trees in one of the main halls.
After a year as first lady, Melania received a standing ovation at her husband's first State of the Union address, sparking conversation after many were quick to point out her all-white pantsuit shared a color with Hillary Clinton's preferred color during her campaign and certain public displays of the #MeToo movement.
Melania stirred controversy when she wore a jacket to an immigration facility in June 2018 that said, "I don't really care, do U?" Melania later said it was a message intended "for the left-wing media who are criticizing me."
Melania's wardrobe choices again dominated reports when she chose to wear a striking hat when welcoming the French president and first lady to the White House in April 2018, even drawing comparisons to Beyonce.
In May 2018, Melania appeared in front of the press on her own to announce a childhood wellness initiative called "Be Best," which emphasizes the importance of social, emotional, and physical health.
Melania brushed shoulders with political icons when she appeared alongside the past four presidents at former first lady Barbara Bush's August 2018 funeral without her husband.
In her first solo trip as first lady, Melania set off on a six-day tour of Africa where she saw how US foreign aid has been put to use on the continent, improving health, early childhood education, and conservation efforts.
Melania showed a flair for the historic when she cut a striking figure in front of Egypt's Giza Pyramids in October, capping off her tour with a rare unscripted appearance in front of reporters.
The White House's 2018 Christmas decorations shocked observers for the second year in a row as pictures from its debut featured the first lady among eye-catching scarlet trees.
