The upcoming official visit of Donald Trump to the United Kingdom, scheduled for mid-September, has already captured the attention of international media. However, diplomats closely monitoring American politics believe that the key figure of this visit may not be the president himself, but his wife, Melania Trump. According to sources close to the British government, the First Lady has evolved into a factor of substantial influence, exercising discreet but significant pressure on issues that touch even the core of American foreign policy.
Read: USA – Russia: Trump meeting with Putin on August 15 in Alaska Melania Trump: From behind-the-scenes presence to political influence
Although Melania avoids frequent appearances and political commentary, in recent years the weight of her opinion appears to have increased. Trump’s second term has been marked by reversals in positions and strategies, and several observers attribute part of this shift to the First Lady’s interventions.
Diplomatic circles estimate that her stance contributed to the president’s turn toward a more humanitarian approach to Gaza and his increased suspicion toward Vladimir Putin’s peace declarations regarding Ukraine.
The interventions that change the tone
Melania has repeatedly stated that she doesn’t always agree with her husband, a fact she considers natural and necessary. Her positions on social issues – such as defending abortion rights and condemning the policy of separating migrant families – have occasionally put her in public disagreement with the president.
A characteristic incident, as Trump himself relates, was her reaction after his conversation with Putin: while he spoke of a “constructive discussion,” Melania reminded him that at that moment a Ukrainian city was being bombed. This reminder, according to sources, influenced the way the president later described the Russian leader.
The “key” for diplomats
Melania’s presence is not limited to formal White House events. She is often in New York, choosing a more private daily routine, but her political footprint becomes felt in her husband’s decisions. This has led foreign diplomats to reevaluate their approaches to the American government: for many, understanding the First Lady’s positions is now critical for predicting the White House stance on international crises.
The British ambassador to Washington has commented that “one rarely encounters a political system where a single person exercises such decisive influence.” Along the same lines, a European diplomat admitted that “decoding” the people who influence the president has become a basic priority.
Beyond the image of the “silent companion”
Despite not ranking among the most powerful figures in government according to public opinion polls, the departure of several officials from Trump’s inner circle has increased her influence. Political analysts estimate that her public profile could help attract voter groups that the president struggles to reach – particularly independent female voters.
The next test
The upcoming meeting between Melania and members of the British royal family is considered by analysts an opportunity to see if her role as “silent influence” will continue to strengthen on an international level as well. For London, this contact may constitute the first step in a more targeted diplomatic strategy, with the First Lady at the center.
In any case, the image of Melania as simply the president’s wife seems to belong to the past. Today, more than ever, she appears as a quiet but decisive factor in the political machine of the USA.
