‘The household is the foundation of democracy’

Melania Trump has published an op-ed on motherhood and its role in America. The piece was published on Mother’s Day, and discusses the history of motherhood in the country as its faced with challenges and changes imposed by modernity. 

Melania Trump, who’s the mother of 20-year-old Barron Trump, discusses the shared duties that mothers take on nowadays, with them pursuing businesses and also raising their families. Still, she makes it clear that it’s a challenge to carry on both of these duties. The op-ed is titled “Mothers Are America’s Strength,” and was published in The Washington Post, a publication owned by Jeff Bezos. 

Bezos’ company, Amazon, has worked with Melania in the development and distribution of her documentary film, “Melania.” 

“Yes, women can thrive in both motherhood and business. But let’s be honest, extended families and strong support systems are often essential to providing a solid base for success,” reads her piece. “That’s why I admire the strength and dedication of single mothers in America, who often handle these responsibilities alone.” 

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Melania also shared some of her duties as first lady and how she makes her family her priority despite the importance of her work. “I constantly challenge myself, as first lady, to think beyond the traditional responsibilities of the East Wing,” she wrote. 

“That has resulted in many new opportunities, including leading four reunifications of Ukrainian and Russian children with their families, addressing the U.N. Security Council on achieving peace through education, and, at the White House, launching Fostering the Future Together, a global effort to help children thrive through the safe and innovative use of technology. But family always comes first.”

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The op-ed sparks controversy

Following its publication, the op-ed sparked some controversy, with many users finding issues with the text. “Here, the First Lady encourages working mothers to prioritize their children. Assuming that working mothers do not already do this is an interesting take,” reads a post from someone shared on X. 

Readers have also noted the connection between Melania and Bezos, quoting the documentary, which was commissioned for a reported $40 million. It became the highest price ever paid for a commissioned documentary. 

© Anna Moneymaker