If she is already "one of the most photographed women in the world", as her lawyers declared in a lawsuit against the Daily Mail newspaper, Melania Trump has also proved to be one of the most well regarded personalities in America.
A poll by CNN/ORC shows a strong rise in the approval rating of the first lady, since her husband was sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States. She is now positively viewed by 52 percent of Americans, up 16 points from the previous survey in January, when the same rating was of 36 per cent.
Republicans vs. Democrats
While she is almost unanimous among Republicans (86%), Democrats still show little enthusiasm for her, as only 22 per cent are in favor of the first lady. Melania’s rating is far away from that reached by Michelle Obama, who was approved by 50 per cent of Republicans and beloved by a crushing 90 per cent of Democrats.
The current first lady numbers are more comparable with those of Hillary Clinton, during her husband Bill Clinton term between 1993 and 2001. The former Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate was approved as first lady by 34 per cent of Republicans and 85 per cent of Democrats.
Preferred among men
The first lady’s approval rating is of 58 per cent among men, while 46 per cent of women view her positively Her evaluation among women with college degrees drops considerably: 34 percent view her unfavorably, while 28 percent of women without college education share the same view.
Controversies
Since inauguration day, when almost all important fashion designers slammed the door in her face, Melania Trump is sparking controversies. The outfit she chose for inauguration - a light blue dress, elbow-length gloves and matching pumps by Ralph Lauren - was considered by many to be an imitation of Jacqueline Kennedy's wardrobe.
The late first lady, wife of President John F. Kennedy, was considered a genuine fashion icon.
Last February, Melania Trump filed a $150 million defamation lawsuit against the British newspaper Daily Mail. She alleges that a story published about her supposed past as an "elite escort" might have spoiled her "unique chance to launch a broad-based commercial brand for a multi-year term", the petition says.
She is unlikely to win the case in court, but who cares? Any gesture of the first lady creates buzz on social media and gossip web sites, generating millions of clicks of Americans incited by the curiosity they nurture about the controversial first lady.
