First Lady Melania Trump has found herself in the glare for reasons that many would call misguided. She admitted on national television that she does not read books at all, triggering a storm of online commentary.
She claimed she’s too tied up to read anything beyond “executive orders.”
In New York, on the day following her husband’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, she stopped by Fox Business’ Trump-friendly “The Big Money Show” on Wednesday.
The interviewers showered Mrs. Trump with compliments, rolling out softballs left and right.
“I don’t know anyone who’s a harder worker than you,” host Brian Brenberg gushed before asking her how she unwinds.
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In truth, there’s little consensus on whether Melania qualifies as a “hard worker.” She is seldom seen in public and tends to surface at her husband’s events only when a photo opportunity is required. Critics argue that she serves as little more than a glamorous prop for President Donald Trump.
“Do you ever unwind with a favorite film or a beloved TV show?” Brenberg pressed, curious whether she ever indulges in a binge-watch. “Does that ever happen?”
“I don’t have time for that,” Melania replied, eyes light, and smile intact.
But then she offered a remark that reviewers called nearly nonsensical.
“No um, the other day someone asked me, ‘What book are you reading?’ I said executive order. It’s arriving next, next, in the next two weeks. That’s what I’m reading. Executive order,” she claimed.
Brenberg’s reply was curt, “OK then.”
She proceeded to describe her ongoing collaboration with the Senate on the “Fostering the Future Act.”
“And I hope they will pass it for foster kids,” she added.
Melania was alluding there to an executive order President Donald Trump signed last autumn titled “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families.” The policy aims to channel federal funds into public-private partnerships to assist those who have spent time in the foster-care system.
“It’s always the papers, always the mail, always the emails, so you need to catch up because you’re busy throughout the day,” she said, speaking in second person as if addressing herself.
“So you need to catch up on that, meaning there’s no time to watch TV,” she concluded.
The enthralled host responded, “That is impressive.”
Online audiences launched fierce attacks, with some commenters insisting she can’t read at all.
“We’ve seen her struggle to read children’s books aloud to youngsters, and I’m pretty sure she can’t read,” one X user declared.
Another lamented the stark contrast between Melania’s husband’s belligerent actions—wars, a harsh immigration policy, and a crackdown on press freedom—and her own seeming detachment.
“OMFG. This can’t be real life.”
“She can’t even pronounce Executive Order, yet we’re supposed to believe she reads and comprehends them?” another commented.
One observer quipped, “Bro, claiming she spends her free time reading government policy instead of watching TV is crazy.”
In addition to joining her husband at his UN address on Tuesday, Melania rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange the following day before inaugurating a women’s summit.
The first lady delivered the keynote at a new gathering called IMPERIA, a private forum for women business leaders and CEOs. USA Today noted that the event is meant to “build business relationships, move capital, influence policy and foster collaboration across industries.”
“The world’s biggest untapped economic force is not a new market, a breakthrough technology or an undiscovered natural resource. It is women coming together as owners,” Mrs. Trump told the gathering, per Fox News.
She went on to question what the economy would resemble without the influence of women.
“Remove women as consumers, investors, leaders, caregivers, innovators and managers of household finances and the modern economy would not function as it does today,” she stated.
