Melania Trump recalls influencing Donald Trump in dropping controversial policy as president
WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump shared in her memoir how she convinced her husband, then-President Donald Trump, to quickly back down on one controversial presidential policy.
The 54-year-old former first lady is set to release her memoir, 'Melania', in which she revealed how she persuaded the former president to abandon the immigration policy that separated migrant children from their parents.
Melania Trump recalls influencing Donald Trump’s decision on migrant policies
In her book, Melania Trump recounted how she urged Donald Trump to abandon the policies, ultimately witnessing him drop the idea and end the separation policy on June 20, 2018, as reported by The Guardian.
"This has to stop," the former first lady told her husband, stressing the "trauma it was causing these families."
She noted that there have been “occasional political disagreements” between her and her husband.
“Occasional political disagreements between my husband and me were part of our relationship,” wrote the former model, adding firmly, “But I believed in addressing them privately rather than publicly challenging him.”
She explained, “I found our discussions more productive when we could have a quiet dialogue at home, out of the public eye.”
“Given my past experiences with unfair media narratives,” Melania stated about her concerns regarding immigration policies, “I always approached the news with some skepticism. Before discussing the border crisis with him, I made sure to thoroughly educate myself on the situation.”
She noted that reports of children “being held in overcrowded detention centers and in absolute squalor … raised serious questions about their health and well-being. The lack of a clear plan for reuniting families and the absence of a definitive policy on these separations only fueled public outrage. I felt strongly that the situation required urgent attention and action.”
She further wrote, “I am sympathetic to all who wish to find a better life in this country. As an immigrant myself, I intimately understand the necessary if arduous process of legally becoming an American.”
Melania herself came to America from Slovenia, and became a US citizen in 2006, eight years after the birth of her son, Barron Trump.
Melania Trump shares her views regarding borders
In her memoir, Melania Trump expressed her views on borders, stating that while she supported strong border policies, she prioritized the interests of mothers.
“While I support strong borders, what was going on at the border was simply unacceptable,” Melania wrote, before adding, “I immediately addressed my deep concerns with Donald regarding the family separations, emphasizing the trauma it was causing these families.”
Melania continued, “As a mother myself, I stressed: ‘The government should not be taking children away from their parents.’ I communicated with great clarity … ‘This has to stop.’”
“Donald assured me that he would investigate the issue, and on 20 June, he announced the end of the family separation policy,” noted the spouse of Donald Trump.
