Russian State TV Highlights Melania Trump’s Modeling Past in Celebration of Trump’s Reelection
A segment on Russian state television has sparked controversy after it aired nude photographs of Melania Trump during a congratulatory broadcast on Donald Trump’s reelection as president of the United States. The images, taken during Melania’s modeling career, were shown on the program 60 Minutes by prominent hosts Yevgeny Popov and Olga Skabeyeva.
The broadcast featured a mix of commentary and visuals, including images from a 2000 GQ magazine shoot, as Popov remarked on Melania’s “return to the White House.” Skabeyeva, who appeared to stifle laughter during the segment, added to the provocative tone of the broadcast.
A Controversial Broadcast
Julia Davis, founder of the Russia Media Monitor watchdog group, shared a video of the segment on X (formerly Twitter), noting its apparent intent to mock the former first lady. Davis captioned the video: “Meanwhile in Russia: this is how the most watched state TV channel in the country welcomed Melania Trump’s upcoming return to the White House.”
During the segment, Popov described the featured photos, stating, “The future first lady lies on top of furs in a negligee… Inside the magazine, Melania’s sexy photos near a private plane and aboard the plane.” The presentation ended with a montage of photos set to music, accompanied by a voice-over referencing Melania’s promotion of her autobiography, Melania.
Melania Trump’s Modeling Career
Before becoming the first lady, Melania Trump, born Melania Knauss in Slovenia, had a thriving modeling career in Europe and the United States. She was discovered at the age of 16 and later signed with an Italian agency, working in Paris, Milan, and New York throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
The 2000 GQ shoot, which featured nude photographs of Melania, resurfaced during Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016 and again during the 2024 election cycle. In response to public scrutiny, Melania defended her work as an artistic expression. In a recent video promoting her autobiography, she stated: “Why do I stand proudly behind my nude modeling work? The more pressing question is, why has the media chosen to scrutinize my celebration of the human form in a fashion photo shoot?”
Russian Media’s Role
The decision to air the provocative images has drawn criticism as another instance of Russian state media’s tendency to sensationalize international political figures. The segment’s tone—mixing mockery with celebration—has been interpreted as a reflection of Russia’s complicated relationship with Trump, who has maintained friendly rhetoric toward the Kremlin in the past.
A Polarizing Reaction
Melania Trump has faced both criticism and praise for her unapologetic stance on her modeling career. Her defenders view her work as a legitimate celebration of art and beauty, while critics argue that its repeated resurfacing in political contexts diminishes her role as a public figure.
Neither the Trump campaign nor Melania’s representatives have commented on the Russian broadcast as of this writing. The controversy highlights the ongoing intersection of politics, media, and personal history in the lives of high-profile figures.
As Donald Trump prepares for a second term in the White House, incidents like this underscore the global scrutiny and often divisive narratives surrounding his presidency and personal life.
