Melania Trump trying to 'vanish' but warned she 'can't divorce the Donald Trump brand'
Melania Trump trying to 'vanish' but warned she 'can't divorce the Donald Trump brand'
Ellie Hook Wed, July 29, 2026 at 5:18 PM UTC
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Melania Trump is the president's first lady -Credit:Getty Images
Melania Trump has received a stark warning from a public relations expert following her apparent withdrawal from her duties as first lady.
The 56-year-old former model, whose marriage to Melania is at its lowest point due to a 'disturbing' reason, seems to have largely stepped out of the spotlight in recent months. According to journalist Joanna Coles, she has made just 14 to 16 public appearances this year, with Coles describing Melania's absence as a "vanishing act" from her 80-year-old husband, President Donald Trump, as their marriage hits what many consider its lowest point.
Joanna noted she finds it "very odd that she's missing," adding, "We really have seen almost nothing of the First Lady this year, which is why it was a surprise to see her. We've seen her, I think, three times this month at UFC at the fireworks." It comes after Karoline Leavitt accidentally humiliated Trump as critics asked about his 'diaper'.
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"And she was there with Barron at the World Cup final on Sunday [July 19]. And actually, I looked it up," the journalist added during an interview on the Inside Trump's Head podcast.
By contrast, Coles claimed that Michelle Obama made between 100 and 150 public appearances annually, Laura Bush approximately 120, and Jill Biden more than 100 trips alongside her husband, Joe Biden.
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Melania hasn't been in attendance at several big events
Coles went on to ask, "What is she doing the rest of the time? I do have questions about her because it's very odd that she's missing, and she is particularly elegant. So I always like to know what she's wearing when she shows up. What is she doing? What she do with all her time?"
Responding to her remarks, author Michael Wolff, who appeared alongside Coles during the interview, described the Trump union as the "strangest marriage in the history of all presidential marriages." He went on to say, "They don't know what she's going to do, and they are afraid of it.
"Even more disturbing to the White House is that this business of hers seems to make her the center of attention, which puts her kind of in direct conflict with the President of the United States, who, as we know, can't stand anyone else being the center of attention. Doesn't mind you making money, but do not steal the limelight."
Earlier this month, reports emerged that the first lady had amassed more than $17.2 million from her 2026 Amazon documentary film, Melania, as well as book sales and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Melania has been told she can't divorce the Trump brand -Credit:Getty Images
Yet, regardless of what Melania may be orchestrating behind closed doors, PR specialist Chad Teixeira believes a far more profound issue lies beneath the surface.
"You can't divorce the Trump brand, even if you leave the White House. Donald Trump made Melania one of the most recognizable women in the world, but that also means she'll always carry that association," he explained in an exclusive interview with the Irish Star.
He concluded, "If these reports are true, this is probably the first real chance she's had to step out and see whether people are interested in her, rather than just the Trump name. The goal isn't to erase that connection because she never will; instead, it's to give people another reason to talk about her."
It comes after Leavitt, 28, looked unrecognizable in a 2018 throwback photo as plastic surgery rumors erupted.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
