Months ago, Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, garnered significant media attention for her support of the online safety legislation known as the ‘TAKE IT DOWN Act.’ This bipartisan bill, ultimately endorsed by President Donald Trump, implemented critical protections against the unauthorized distribution of sexual imagery, encompassing AI-generated content, deepfakes, and revenge porn.
During her initial advocacy, Melania articulated her concerns regarding an “AI-driven” world, asserting that “Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themselves freely without the looming threat of exploitation.” However, her latest official initiative signals a nuanced shift in her perspective towards technological advancements.
On Monday, the former model issued an exclusive statement to the New York Post, announcing her leadership of the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge.
This new endeavor follows shortly after Melania dismissed allegations regarding potential links to Jeffrey Epstein. Seeking legal counsel, the 55-year-old First Lady not only threatened Hunter Biden with a billion-dollar lawsuit over claims that Epstein introduced her to Trump but also succeeded in having related articles and videos expunged from the digital sphere.
What is Melania Trump’s new AI Initiative?
After making significant diplomatic strides, Melania is set to be recognized as the ‘First Lady of Technology.’ Her goal is to inspire both children and educators to embrace AI.
#1 New York Times Bestseller, “Melania” ||
How I Met Donald Trump https://t.co/xIfkkmL4YC pic.twitter.com/ioDucDuo9A— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) July 18, 2025
While Melania has expressed her distaste for the malicious use of AI, she has refrained from outright denouncing its beneficial applications. In May, she revealed via social media that she had utilized innovative technology to recreate her voice for the audiobook of her memoir.
In what she termed a “new era in publishing,” she proclaimed, “I am honoured to bring you Melania – The Audiobook — narrated entirely using artificial intelligence in my own voice.”
This experience has purportedly broadened her understanding of the “countless opportunities and risks” inherent in this new technology.
She remarked, “In just a few short years, AI will be the engine driving every business sector across our economy. It is poised to deliver great value to our careers, families, and communities.”
While President Trump is keen on positioning America as the ‘crypto capital of the world,’ Melania contended, “Just as America once led the world into the skies with the Wright Brothers, we are poised to lead again —this time in the age of AI.”
Under the framework of Donald Trump’s executive order dated April 23, titled “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education For American Youth,” the Presidential AI Challenge requires K-12 students to utilize AI tools—ranging from neural networks and computer vision to robotics and language models.
Pupils are expected to employ these tools to devise a phone application or website aimed at resolving a community challenge.
Prizes for the AI Challenge will vary, including $10,000 checks, Cloud Credits, and a Presidential Certificate of Achievement.
State champions will be announced in March 2026, culminating in a national championship in June, where leading teams will be invited to showcase their innovations at a three-day event in Washington, D.C., possibly at the White House itself.
Melania Trump’s Leap into the Technological Sphere Following Diplomatic Achievements
The 55-year-old, once noted for her relatively subdued presence during the initial term of Trump’s presidency, has recently asserted herself more prominently, particularly since his return to office in January.
A recent report from the Daily Mail extolled Melania as “the one person who truly influences Trump’s decisions,” underscoring her role in shaping “his legacy as the man who saved the world.”
Close sources have characterized her as the “real soft power,” playing a pivotal role behind the scenes while attention was riveted on Trump’s discussions with Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit earlier this month.
First Lady Melania Trump’s ‘peace letter’ to Putin: ‘It is time’ https://t.co/P6wPkgZw83
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) August 16, 2025
Following their encounter, it was revealed that Melania had previously authored a “peace letter” to Putin, highlighting the grave repercussions of Russia’s war on the children of Ukraine.
A source disclosed that “President Putin opened the envelope and read the letter right there, before the talks began. You could tell he was impressed and he said as much,” terming her handwritten initiative a “diplomatic masterstroke.”
Is the First Lady Selectively Choosing Her Engagements?
Toni Holt Kramer, a socialite and leader of the female fundraising group ‘Trumpettes,’ has known Melania for over a decade. She noted that, despite perceptions of Melania as reserved compared to her husband, she is not dauntingly shy, but rather “a private person.”
Another insider familiar with the Trumps’ relationship shared with CNN that Melania “only wades in when she is truly passionate about an issue – and she genuinely cares about children.”
Moments ago: @FLOTUS shared her heart with everyone grieving after the Texas flood disaster saying…
“My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful, young souls. Deepest sympathy from all of us to the community—to everyone who lost a loved one—we are grieving… pic.twitter.com/vHDw35gyEb
— Office of the First Lady (@FirstLadyOffice) July 11, 2025
A planned second state visit to the UK will see Melania accompany Donald Trump in September. With the president having accepted an invitation from King Charles, the couple is set to be received at Windsor Castle from September 17 to 19.
In anticipation of this visit, a “friend” of the First Lady revealed to the Daily Mail that Melania is “acutely aware” of the so-called “embarrassing moment” during Trump’s first state visit in 2019.
During that initial visit, President Trump faced widespread criticism for walking ahead of Queen Elizabeth II, seemingly leaving her to catch up. However, should her confidant be correct, Melania intends to ensure “nothing will go wrong” this time around.
“Underestimate her at your peril,” the source commented. Another insider reiterated, “Just because you don’t see her, don’t assume she’s not there. He’s on the phone with her all day long.”
Source link: Financialexpress.com.
