A decade-old video clip featuring former First Lady Melania Trump offering a surprisingly candid defence of singer Rihanna has recently recirculated online, sparking fresh discussion. The footage, which has gained traction on TikTok, originates from a 2012 radio appearance where Mrs. Trump shared her relaxed views on nudity in fashion magazines while delivering a stark warning about the dangers of 'sexting'.
Melania's European Perspective on Rihanna's Nude Cover
In the interview, conducted on the Sway In The Morning show on SiriusXM hosted by Sway Calloway, Melania was asked about Rihanna's controversial topless cover for Esquire magazine that same year. The former model, who hails from Slovenia and had her own career posing for high-fashion publications, including nude shoots, expressed a notably nonchalant attitude.
"I didn't see the pictures, I don't know what she's showing, what she's not showing, if she's showing just the skin, [but] she has beautiful skin, and she should be proud of being a woman," Melania stated. She elaborated that the controversy seemed uniquely American, suggesting, "I don't think it's a really big deal, maybe because I'm from Europe, in Europe it's not such a big deal if you're showing your body in tasteful ways, of course."
This stance stands in contrast to public comments made years later by her husband, former President Donald Trump, who labelled Rihanna's 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance an "epic fail."
A Firm Stance Against 'Sexting' and Family Insights
The interview took a sharp turn when host Sway Calloway queried Melania about the practice of sending nude pictures via text message. Her tone shifted dramatically from her permissive view on artistic nudity.
"Oh, that's the most stupid idea," she declared emphatically. "It's not good, and especially the famous people... they are doing what they think will not get caught, but for everything [there's] consequences." She advised that such activities should be kept strictly private, reserving judgement only for images shared professionally in a magazine context.
Elsewhere in the resurfaced clip, the former First Lady revealed her personal appreciation for hip-hop music, calling it "great music, great for dancing." She also shared a charming anecdote about her then six-year-old son, Barron, who had sustained a minor injury from breakdancing during a school music class. Melania proudly described her son as "independent" and "tough." Barron Trump is now 19 and a freshman at New York University's Stern School of Business.
Public Reaction and Contrasting Christmas Image
Viewers of the viral TikTok clip were struck by Melania's apparent enthusiasm during the 2012 interview, particularly when defending Rihanna. One comment noted, "This is the most enthusiastic I’ve seen her," while another declared, "Melania is a girl's girl."
The re-emergence of this relaxed, chatty version of Melania Trump comes just days after she and the former President were the subject of online commentary for their formal 2023 Christmas portrait. The official photograph, shared on the platform X, showed the couple dressed in all-black, posing solemnly with straight faces in front of White House decorations, leading some observers to remark that they appeared to be "going to a funeral."
The juxtaposition of these two public images—the animated 2012 interviewee and the solemn 2023 portrait—highlights the different facets of the former First Lady's public persona over the years. The resurfaced interview provides a rare glimpse into her personal opinions on culture, privacy, and motherhood, long before her tenure in the White House.
