White House hits back at Melania Trump’s critics

Aloof and cold or compassionate and misunderstood? After two years as first lady, Americans still can’t figure Melania Trump out.

Melania Trump, watched by husband Donald Trump, speaks at the Congressional Ball in Washington at the weekend. Picture: AP

Is Melania Trump doing a good job as first lady?

After a recent spate of critical media reports about her performance and a poll showing her ­approval ratings have tumbled, the White House has chosen to hit back.

An article by Mrs Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, takes aim at an opinion piece last week by CNN contributor Kate Brower and at the media in general for its coverage of the first lady.

Brower said Mrs Trump’s interview last week with Fox News’s Sean Hannity proved she did not understand what it meant to be first lady.

She said Mrs Trump used the interview to complain about the scrutiny on her and her family rather than tout her work on ­behalf of children.

“Anything but another pity party would have been nice — and could have been expected from any other first lady in recent memory, all of whom, regardless of party, understood the incredible opportunities that accompany the sometimes-frustrating position,” Brower wrote.

This was one step too far for the White House, with Ms Grisham calling it a condescending piece that ignored the good things Mrs Trump has done for support children and families.

“She (Brower) intentionally ­ignores all the effort the first lady has put into fulfilling the ­traditional responsibilities of the role,” Ms Grisham writes.

“Absurdity abounds in the media’s coverage of our first lady. Reports focus on the trivial and superficial, rather than the deeper issues facing our country that she has tirelessly worked to ­address. Last year, when Mrs Trump travelled to Texas to comfort and support the people affect­ed by hurricanes, the media focused on the pair of heels she wore to board Air Force One.”

It’s the most public skirmish yet in a growing debate about Mrs Trump’s performance, with an opinion poll last week showing her approval rate dropping to 43 per cent, from 54 per cent two months ago.

Americans have always struggled to define what they want from their first ladies. It’s a role that is unpaid and ill-defined but one where every step you take — from the clothes you wear to the words you speak — are scrutinised endlessly.

Over time, the tradition has been that first ladies choose a passion, usually a charity or other do-good causes, to define themselves beyond their ceremonial role.

Mrs Trump has tried to tread this path but she often gives the impression of doing so half-heartedly and reluctantly.

She is intensely private about her own life, leaving others to guess about her happiness and the state of her marriage.

In public, the former model cuts a regal figure but one that is cold and aloof. Her strong Slovenian accent only highlights the fact that she will never be a chatty, vibrant and loved first lady such as Michelle Obama and Barbara Bush.

Into this vacuum, there have been high-profile gaffes, such as wearing a jacket with the words “I REALLY DON’T CARE. DO U?” when visiting immigrant children, or wearing a colonial pith helmet in Africa.

Her signature Be Best campaign has struggled to define itself beyond vague goals of promoting online behaviour and exploring solutions to the opioid crisis.

In her article, Ms Grisham all but accepts Mrs Trump is very different from her predecessors but says this reflects positive traits such as individuality and being true to herself.

She also challenges the most common criticism of Mrs Trump — that she is squandering the ­opportunities of her position.

“The role of first lady brings with it unique opportunities to help ­people across the country and around the world. This is not lost on Mrs Trump,” Ms Grisham writes.

She then lists a long list of visits the first lady has made to victims of hurricanes, shootings and ­illness as well as her ceremonial duties and her Be Best campaign.

“She has and will continue to demonstrate her commitment to helping children and advancing the causes she is passionate about. But there is nothing wrong with staying true to herself along the way. In fact, her strength, individuality and integrity should be celebrated.”

Yet after her almost two years in the job, Americans are still trying to work Melania Trump out.

Some view her with some sympathy, as a prisoner in a golden cage who never wanted the job and shouldn’t be judged accordingly. Others shake their head and bemoan lost opportunity. Yet others, like Ms Grisham, argue that it is the media who have got Mrs Trump all wrong.

“Hopefully, the media will eventually learn to celebrate a woman who, through all the noise, is able to hold steadfast to her ­mission and stay true to herself,” she writes.

Cameron Stewart is also US contributor for Sky News Australia