Melania Trump praised for reconciling Trumpism and empathy
The discreet Melania Trump was hailed Wednesday for addressing the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic and the brand of racism in the history of the United States, her speech the day before offering a rare moment of empathy in a Republican convention marked by an abrasive tone.
A speech to "make you dizzy" judged David Axelrod, former advisor very close to Barack Obama.
Hear the First Lady of the United States "recognize the devastation of Covid-19, racial injustice, the need to + come together in these very difficult times +, admit mistakes and listen to others, oppose harassment on the networks The exact opposite of her husband's approach, "he tweeted.
After two evenings of corrosive, anxiety-provoking speeches on the supposed dangers of a presidency of Democrat Joe Biden, the 50-year-old Slovenian ex-model broke with the dynamics of the Republican convention.
With a passage that could have seemed obvious in a country hard hit by the new coronavirus pandemic which killed nearly 180,000 there, she for the first time since Monday mentioned the Americans affected by the disease, very rarely mentioned by Donald Trump , 74 years old.
"My deepest condolences to all who have lost a loved one. And my prayers are with those who are sick or in pain," said Melania Trump.
She also addressed the historic movement of anger against racism, peppered with violence, which crosses the United States.
Where Donald Trump was mostly content to speak of "rioters", the First Lady called to "learn from our past".
"The difficult reality is that we are not proud of parts of our history," she said.
Appearing nervous in her first few minutes, in another human touch that set her apart from professional politicians, she read with application his long speech about the teleprompers installed in the gardens of the White House.
Her sometimes a little starchy, mechanical tone eased when she mentioned her parents or her "American dream", who prompted her to offer big smiles. In particular, in a rare touch of complicity displayed with her husband, when she conceded that the latter did not hide his opinions.
"We know that Donald Trump does not make a secret of what he thinks," she said, eliciting laughter from the small assembly. "Whether you like it or not, you always know what he's thinking."
"Cleavage figure"
She also spoke of the fight against addictions and online harassment. And the difficulties of raising a child, sharing his experience with Barron, their 14-year-old son.
Claiming not to want to attack the Democrats to avoid accentuating the divisions, she, on a line more similar to that of her husband, deplored the "gossip" carried by the media.
Her team stressed that Melania Trump had chosen "her words". As if to better dismiss the humiliating memory of her speech at the 2016 convention, when she plagiarized entire sections of a Michelle Obama speech.
She "showed empathy and compassion" without however presenting "a universe totally parallel to that of her husband", admitting its "rough aspects", analyzes Katherine Jellison, historian specializing in American First Ladies at the university from Ohio.
Many observers, however, quickly recalled the role of Melania Trump in the propagation of doubts, in 2011, on the origins of Barack Obama. A theory perceived as racist by many in the United States and that Donald Trump had widely put forward.
Her choice of military-style outfit was also widely commented.
"Melania Trump came dressed for the fight," wrote Vanessa Friedman, director of the New York Times fashion column. Choosing her outfits with great care, the former model is so discreet that her "clothes are peeled like signs in the coffee grounds".
For Katherine Jellison, Melania Trump has finally "played the balancing act well and perhaps attracted a few" undecided voters.
"But will she ever be seen as a truly unifying figure? I highly doubt it. Anyone associated with the Trump presidency ultimately comes out as a divisive figure."
