Melania Trump’s website vanishes from internet after rumours swirl over her university degree
The digital disappearing act follows a week of intense scrutiny of the potential first lady
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It’s been a tough few weeks for Donald Trump’s wife.
She was accused of plagiarising Michelle Obama's 2008 speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and rumours are swirling about her supposed university education.
The potential first lady claimed that she had gained a university degree in design and architecture at University in Slovenia.
Those searching for details about the former model’s background would come up short online, however, as it appears her biography and website have been taken down from the internet.
Melaniatrump.com now redirects to the Trump Organisation website.
The biography page on this website does not mention his 46-year-old wife, and has not done so for around five years, according to archived pages.
According to Melania Trump: The Inside Story, an unauthorised biography of the Republican nominee’s third wife, Ms Trump quit the University of Ljubljana after one year to pursue her modeling career.
Offering her online biography “was almost certainly done in consultation with Trump and his advisors, as they were desperate to give off the impression that the Slovenian model was not just beautiful, but also smart and well-educated,” the book reads.
A Trump campaign spokesperson could not be reached immediately for comment.
Melania, née Knauss, married Mr Trump in 2005, and they have one son, Barron Trump.
She has become an increasing focus of attention in the run-up to the convention and her keynote speech, for which she reportedly prepared for about six weeks with a team of writers.
The speech backfired when it transpired that it contained passages which matched Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech, word for word. A Trump campaign staffer called Meredith McIver admitted responsibility for the incident.
Previously on the election campaign, Mr Trump’s oldest daughter, Ivanka, had played a larger role in the spotlight, introducing her father at rallies and giving more interviews.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments