Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Drew Angerer
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former White House adviser to Melania Trump, took a pointed dig at the former first lady on the 18th anniversary of her US citizenship. Melania celebrated the milestone on July 28th by sharing the news on X. She wrote, “Becoming an American citizen is an achievement that inspired my ongoing commitment to this great nation.
Today marks the 18th anniversary of this personal milestone.” In response, Wolkoff highlighted the disparity between Melania’s celebration and Donald Trump’s repeated stance on immigration. She posted on X, “Melania’s ‘Personal Milestone’ is JUST that, only for MELANIA TRUMP! Melania became a US citizen on 7/28/2006 after Barron was born on 3/20/2006. But…for EVERYONE ELSE, Trump said he’d end the long-standing constitutional right and sign an executive order that ‘ensures children born to parents who do not have legal status in the U.S. will NOT BE CONSIDERED U.S. Citizens.'” Wolkoff cited a recent news story to back her claims.
Netizens also flocked to ridicule Melania. One user posted on X, “So fake ‘genius visa’ and then she had an anchor baby and used chain migration to bring in her parents. Odd, I could have sworn the GOP said they were against those sorts of things.” Another critic echoed, “Yeah, she came here on an Einstein visa. Can someone tell me which one of the requirements she qualified for?”
Reports indicate that Melania became a citizen under the EB-1 program, which is granted to individuals who have achieved significant success in their respective fields. The government typically reserves these visas for Olympic, Pulitzer, and Oscar winners, along with renowned academics, researchers, and executives from global corporations. According to the Washington Post, in 2000, while dating Donald Trump and working as a model in New York, Melania started filling out visa applications.
In 2001, she was one of just five Slovenians to receive the highly sought-after visa. Wolkoff’s assertions reflect Donald Trump’s public statements. If re-elected in November, Trump has repeatedly stated he would terminate birthright citizenship. According to CBS News, he announced his intention to deny citizenship to children whose.
