With the recent election, Donald Trump is our President-Elect, and his wife Melania, is the next First Lady. There are obvious mixed reactions about Melania, some thrilled, some angry, some unsure, and some criticizing and outright slut shaming. Memes are floating around the internet with nude photos from Melania's modeling career, which she posed for consensually, with various sexist captions. It's fine to be displeased if you didn't want Mr. Trump to win, but there is no need for shaming his wife. Even before the election results, Melania was still the target of slut shaming.
Vox stated that an anti-Trump Super PAC, called "Make America Awesome Again," ran an ad against him in March of 2016 to convince Mormons not to vote for him...by attacking Melania. It has a nude photo from a shoot that she did in the early 2000's. The ad stereotypes women who decide to partake in these types of photo shoots, and it obviously attacks Melania. The Tab explains that both liberals and conservatives are bringing her modeling past up for debate. She has been attacked for being a "trophy wife," and compared to Michelle Obama, who was described as "classy and well spoken." The two women shouldn't even be compared to each other because they're different individuals and don't have anything in common. Other First Ladies were attacked in the past, as well. For example, Rosalynn Carter was ripped on for repeat wearing an evening gown during her husband's presidency. Michelle Obama was also criticized for showing her arms too much. Melania now stands where these women once did. It isn't uncommon for these women to be criticized, but that doesn't make it right. It contributes to misogyny. Interestingly, there is a term for the criticizing of the first ladies of past, present, and potential. It's called the Jackie O Effect, as mentioned by The Huffington Post. We are obsessed more with their looks, clothes, and hair...rather than their projects and actions.
Why is no one angry about this? The New York Post ran two days of full frontal nude images from her modeling days. Where is the feminist outrage when we need it? The Daily Beast says that people aren't siding with Melania because she isn't publicly feminist. Plus, she is painted as the "trophy wife" of a man that many people dislike. Just because you disagree with Mr. Trump doesn't mean you should shame his wife. There should be outrage. It's unfortunate that these photos were (and are still) like fodder for everyone to criticize the Trumps. These photos are irrelevant, and don't tell us anything about Melania's character, ethics, or beliefs. They are being used to objectify her. Sexism isn't a democrat or republican issue...it's everyone's issue, because that's who it effects.