Melania Trump recently attended the premiere of her self-produced documentary at the Kennedy Center, where she reflected on her journey from Slovenia to the United States. Speaking on the red carpet, the former First Lady described herself as an immigrant with humble beginnings and said she was “very proud to be an American citizen.” The film chronicles events leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration and presents her personal version of the American dream.

Questions Around Her Immigration History

Critics quickly highlighted contradictions between Melania’s story and the Trump administration’s hardline immigration stance. Born in Slovenia, she moved to the U.S. in 1996 to pursue modeling, initially arriving on a visitor visa before later securing a work visa. Past reports have claimed she worked during a period when her visa status was still under review—an allegation that has fueled renewed scrutiny of how immigration rules are applied to different people.

‘A Complete Disconnect,’ Critics Say

The backlash intensified as the documentary premiere coincided with ongoing immigration enforcement efforts ordered by Donald Trump. Many critics argue Melania’s story is celebrated while others face detention or deportation. “The irony is overwhelming,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “There’s a complete disconnect between her narrative and current immigration policies.”