Melania Trump Attacked in Russian State Media
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A Russian newspaper has disparaged Melania Trump as Kremlin-backed media speculate about whether the first lady is behind President Donald Trump's Ukraine policy.
Pro-Kremlin newspaper Vzglyad said "it would be better for him [Trump] to buy her shoes than to sell Patriots (missiles) to Kyiv" in an op-ed Monday that described the first lady as a "danger to Russia."
Russian state TV has also taken aim at Melania Trump, saying she is responsible for the U.S. president's apparently tougher stance toward Putin which has seen him pledge more weapons for Kyiv and threaten more sanctions on Moscow.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside of regular office hours.
First lady Melania Trump departs the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.
First lady Melania Trump departs the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.Why It Matters
After months of expressing how Trump can serve Moscow's interests, Kremlin propagandists have changed their tone, especially after the U.S. president pledged more weapons for Ukraine and threatened more sanctions on Moscow.
A focus for Kremlin media in recent days has been Trump's comments about his unhappiness with Putin, as well as his references to remarks Melania Trump made about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
What To Know
In an article on Monday headlined, "Melania Trumpenko's danger to Russia underestimated," Vzgylad referred to the moniker given to the first lady over her alleged "significant" role in her husband's policy with regards to Ukraine.
The paper described how the U.S. president had told reporters how his wife would tell him another city in Ukraine had been shelled soon after he had spoken with Putin.
Modified photos of the first lady with attached Ukrainian iconography on her clothing have formed social media memes in recent days.
"It would be better for him to buy her shoes than to sell Patriots to Kyiv. It would be cheaper," the paper added referring to the missile system that President Trump said can be provided to Ukraine.
Russian state TV has also taken a swipe at the first lady.
In front of revealing years-old images of Melania Trump which Russian TV has used before to disparage her, anchor of 60 Minutes, Olga Skabeyeva, described the first lady as a "Ukrainian agent."
Skabeyeva then outlined U.K. newspaper reports that she was behind her husband's tougher line on Putin, in the clip posted by Russia watcher Julia Davis.
One of her guests, Moscow-based political scientist Malek Dudakov downplayed her role and said that the couple "has certain marital problems," and "doesn't even live with Trump."
In May, the White House described claims by political biographer Michael Wolff that the couple was separated as "blatant lies and fabrications."
What People Are Saying
Russian newspaper Vzglyad: "Melania Trumpenko's danger to Russia is underestimated...One way or another, Melania is now a symbol of new hope for Ukrainians."
Russian state TV anchor Olga Skabeyeva: "Melania Trump whom conspiracy theorists previously considered to be a Kremlin spy....suddenly became a Ukrainian agent, Melania Trumpenko."
Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, per USA Today: "I go home, I tell the first lady, 'You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.' And she said, 'Oh really? Another city was just hit,'"
What Happens Next
While Ukraine has welcomed Trump's pledge for weaponry and Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine through NATO, Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities.
Meanwhile, the prospect of peace talks, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested could take place this week, remain unlikely amid reports that Putin retains his maximalist demands in the war he started.
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