Melania Trump harbored reservations not only about Ivanka but also about the involvement of Trump’s children in White House affairs. According to Rogers, the then-first lady strongly believed that it was inappropriate for Trump’s offspring to be deeply entangled in White House operations. Despite her objections, this was a battle she ultimately lost, as both Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, assumed advisory roles within the West Wing. Additionally, Don Jr. and Eric played key roles in advising the Trump campaign and acted as primary surrogates for their father during the campaign.
Despite Melania’s dissent, she did not keep her feelings silent, famously expressing her concerns through the now-infamous ‘I really don’t care, do you?’ jacket. This statement piece gained widespread attention in June 2018 when Melania wore it as she boarded her Air Force flight to visit the Upbring New Hope Children’s Shelter in McAllen, Texas.
The shelter housed migrant children who had been separated from their parents while crossing the border. Melania, herself an immigrant who obtained U.S. citizenship in 2006, had advocated for Donald Trump to issue an executive order halting the administration’s policy of separating families at the border.
Rogers notes that Melania’s adamant stance against the practice played a significant role in compelling Donald Trump to take action. Despite his typically obstinate nature, Melania’s unwavering conviction that separating children from their parents was morally wrong ultimately influenced him to issue the executive order. The first lady’s commitment to this cause showcased the impact she could have on her husband’s decision-making, even in the face of prevailing political pressures.
