Melania Trump’s Language Skills: Fluent Polyglot or Overstated Claims?

Former First Lady Melania Trump has often been celebrated by her husband, former President Donald Trump, as a “woman of beauty with brains.” Known for her past career as a model and her influence in the fashion world, Melania’s polyglot abilities have also attracted attention. Reportedly fluent in six languages — German, Italian, Slovenian, French, English, and Serbian — Melania has expressed a passion for languages, a trait she continues to nurture.

However, questions remain about her proficiency in some of these languages. While few dispute Melania’s linguistic abilities, there has been ongoing speculation about her actual fluency in each language. The Mirror notes that some wonder if she is genuinely proficient in all six. This debate recently resurfaced on The Ingraham Angle, when former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Monica Crowley defended Melania’s elegance and sophistication after her fashion choices were criticized.

Crowley remarked, “You know Sigmund Freud’s old and very famous saying: ‘Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar’? Sometimes a chic, gorgeous black suit is just a chic, gorgeous black suit.” She continued, “Mrs. Trump looks absolutely beautiful in anything. She is highly accomplished, she is fluent in five languages, and yet they always have to try to find something to bludgeon her because, by extension, they are trying to hit her husband, of course.”

Melania herself previously confirmed to MSNBC that she speaks English, German, French, and Italian, while Crowley’s assertion added her native Slovenian and Serbian. Born in Slovenia, a country in Central Europe that was once part of Yugoslavia, Melania’s heritage and movements between European states exposed her to multiple languages and cultures.

After pursuing a career as a fashion model in Europe, she moved to New York City in 1996 and earned U.S. citizenship in 2006, but she continues to honor her European roots with pride. Despite her accomplishments, Snopes reported that direct evidence of Melania speaking all six languages is limited. On several occasions, she has opted for translators when meeting foreign dignitaries.

For instance, during a 2017 meeting with Pope Francis, she relied on a translator to understand his joking inquiry about her husband’s diet. Similarly, while visiting a children’s hospital in Italy, Melania addressed the group with an Italian phrase, “Come stai?” which translates to “How are you?” Though well-intentioned, the phrase was meant to address an individual rather than a group, sparking some critique.

Melania’s journey to the United States also reflects her dedication to excellence, having been awarded a green card through the “Einstein visa” in 2001, a permit reserved for immigrants with “extraordinary abilities.” This acknowledgment of her modeling success further bolstered her image as an accomplished figure on the international stage.

While her language skills have been a topic of interest, the debate around her fluency underscores how the former First Lady has become a symbol of grace and intellect within the Trump legacy. Whether or not Melania is truly fluent in six languages remains a point of contention, but her dedication to cultural and linguistic learning continues to be a unique part of her story.