Russian media airs Melania Trump's nude photos in controversial segment

A RUSSIAN state media outlet has sparked outrage for airing Melania Trump's nude photographs on live television as a tribute to her husband winning the 2024 election. The disparaging display was aired on 60 Minutes on the Russia-1 network, the country's most-watched television channel, showing pictures of Melania from a photo shoot with the British edition of GQ in 2000.

Outrage and Controversy

The news clip, which was shared on X by Russian Media Monitor creator Julia Davis, begins with anchor Yevgeny Popov saying the former first lady is prepping to return to the White House after Donald Trump's election victory. As Popov speaks, a large television screen behind him and his co-anchor and wife, Olga Skabeeva, shows a clip of Trump and Melania together at one of the president-elect's rallies. However, the clip quickly cuts to an image of Melania from her GQ shoot.

Public Reaction

"Here's how Melania looked like in the year 2000," Popov said as a nude image of the former first lady appeared on the screen. Popov goes on to describe each image of Melania in detail, saying, "The future first lady lies on top of furs in a negligee. Inside the magazine, Melania's sexy photos near a private airplane and aboard a plane." The nude photos of Melania were taken in 2000 onboard Trump's Boeing 727, the predecessor to Trump Force One.

Backlash and Responses

As Popov continues to go into detail about the images, Skabeeva is seen holding herself from laughing on live television. The segment ends with clips of Trump and Melania embracing with a kiss on the cheek with the president-elect's signature campaign song, Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, playing in the background before more explicit photos of Melania are displayed. The news segment sparked outrage on X, with one writing, "Russia is laughing at us."

Background and History

Melania began modeling as a teenager after a Slovenian photographer discovered her at age 16. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Melania modeled in Paris, Milan, and New York. During her modeling career, Melania met Trump, a renowned New York real estate mogul, at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998. Trump and Melania eventually married in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2005, less than a year after the future president proposed.