Joyce Yip, a spirited 39-year-old entrepreneur hailing from Guangzhou in southern China, has recently developed a newfound admiration for none other than Melania Trump. The twice-elected First Lady has emerged as an online sensation in China, capturing the hearts of women across the nation. This may come as a shock, considering her husband's adversarial stance towards China. However, social media posts reveal a profound appreciation for her autonomy, refined fashion sense, and her nurturing of her teenage son. Most notably, perhaps, is her steadfast loyalty to President Donald Trump, despite his misogynistic remarks, allegations of extramarital affairs, and a civil suit finding him liable for sexual abuse brought forth by a New York advice columnist. "She exudes heroism, elegance, and determination, emanating an aura of power and majesty that I find immensely enchanting," Yip gushed on Xiaohongshu, akin to Instagram, following last month's inauguration.
When Melania Trump donned a chic wide-brimmed hat for the inauguration, similar hats swiftly cropped up on online boutiques. Knitting influencers on Xiaohongshu posted tutorials, demonstrating how to craft one's own within a mere 48 hours.
Traditionally in China, women are expected to be supportive of their husbands and prioritize child-rearing. Yet, Melania Trump's streak of independence resonates deeply with her Chinese admirers, as does her meteoric rise from humble beginnings in a small Slovenian town to the pinnacle of global society. "Chinese fans admire her for embodying both the traditional and modern facets of womanhood," remarked Jingsi Wu, an associate professor of media studies at Hofstra University in New York.
A four-year-old video showcasing Melania Trump declining to hold her husband's hand as they disembarked from Air Force One vividly illustrates these dual aspects. This clip has garnered over 5 million "likes" on Douyin, China's TikTok equivalent, and continues to draw views and commentary.
A November post on Xiaohongshu, which playfully speculated on Melania Trump's reluctance to return to the public spotlight as First Lady, amassed nearly half a million likes. A satirical piece in The New Yorker, intended to critique her marriage to the President, received 1 million views on Bilibili, a platform reminiscent of YouTube, and paradoxically seemed to elevate her popularity further.
Almost 30,000 individuals showered their admiration on a November post revisiting a years-old interview of Melania Trump and her spouse on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, heralding their bond as "exquisitely sweet." Ge Yahan, one of Melania's avid admirers, hails from Zibo, China's eastern coastline. The 24-year-old considers Melania a mesmerizing enigma, courageous enough to chase her dreams from a humble Slovenian town to the land of opportunities in the United States. Her fascination with the celebrity also fetches her some pocket change; she has been discreetly peddling unauthorized Mandarin translations of Melania's self-titled memoir, crafted by AI, for eight yuan ($1.10) in China's underground social media circles.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has openly lambasted China's economic practices, deeming them obstacles to America's financial prosperity. During his first term, he ignited a trade war by slapping exorbitant tariffs on Chinese imports, and escalated further upon his return to office last month. He disparaged the deadly coronavirus as the racist moniker "Kung Flu." Earlier this year, Trump baselessly alleged that thousands of Chinese immigrants were infiltrating the U.S. to assemble an "army" and launch attacks on America.
However, Wu, an academician, asserts that the Chinese populace often perceives American politics as akin to a gripping soap opera. Delving into the intimate details of leaders' lives is a novel experience for many in China, where top leaders predominantly appear in meticulously scripted public settings. Peng Liyuan, China's First Lady and a renowned singer before tying the knot with Xi Jinping, maintains a more visible profile compared to previous leaders' spouses. Nevertheless, the couple's lifestyle remains shrouded in mystery; their residence and even whether they possess a pet remain unknown.
Rose LuQiu, an associate professor at the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, elucidates that fans perceive Donald Trump as a victorious figure whose triumph is shared by his wife. "The more independent and accomplished she is, yet steadfastly loyal to Trump, the more it mirrors his perceived success as a man," she elucidates.
Huang Li, who works in fashion public relations and moonlights as an online seller of Melania Trump's memoir (unavailable in China), asserts her apathy towards politics. She admiration for Trump stems from his industriousness and the valor he displayed by chanting "fight, fight, fight" post an assassination attempt in July. Huang has sold over 30 copies of Melania's memoir. China's National Publications Import & Export Shanghai Co. is pre-selling English copies for 290 yuan ($40), with no clarity on official translation plans. "People are eager to uncover more about her," Huang remarks.
Fans also commend what they perceive as Melania Trump's sacrifices for her 18-year-old son Barron. Many jest that she only agreed to relocate back to the "White House dormitory" to pave his career path. Wu notes this resonates deeply with Chinese fans. "Chinese accord paramount importance to parenting," she underscores.
Melania's steadfastness amidst her husband's personal and political scandals further resonates with her fans. "Melania is a humble, authentic woman who stands by her husband's side, offering unwavering support when he needs her the most," Yip, an entrepreneur, expounds. Like numerous Melania enthusiasts, Yip admits admiring President Trump's daughter Ivanka eight years ago "during her heyday." However, Yip now considers her a traitor for testifying in her father's civil fraud trial in New York last year, albeit reluctantly complying with the court's order. Although Ivanka Trump disclosed minimal information, Yip and countless other Chinese perceive her as having betrayed her father. "The societal norms dictate that men can be disloyal, but not women," Yip asserts. "Melania remains fiercely loyal to her husband."
