A recent national survey shows how Americans view Melania Trump compared with other women who have served as U.S. first lady. According to the poll, she ranks among the least popular first ladies in recent history, lagging behind most of her predecessors in public approval. This pattern highlights both the ongoing political divisions in the U.S. and the unique challenges faced by a first lady whose role is largely ceremonial but closely tied to her husband’s presidency.
Poll Results: How She Compares
In the YouGov survey, respondents were asked to rate 11 recent first ladies on a scale from “outstanding” to “poor.” Melania Trump’s net rating was -16, meaning more people gave her negative than positive evaluations. Only one other first lady in this group, Hillary Clinton, had a slightly lower net score at -17 — despite Clinton’s own high level of public recognition and political activity.
By contrast, some of the most popular first ladies historically received significantly higher net ratings. For example, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis topped the poll with a very strong positive assessment, a position held by few others in modern memory. Meanwhile, figures like Michelle Obama also maintained strong positive rankings, reflecting broader public familiarity and approval of their roles.
What the Numbers Reflect
Melania Trump’s placement near the bottom of the poll does not appear in isolation. Her current rating follows trends in previous surveys showing her public image has often been more polarizing than that of many first ladies before her. While some Americans appreciate her presence and style, a significant portion of the public views her less favorably, especially when compared to more traditionally active or charismatic first ladies. Part of this dynamic may be explained by the partisan nature of modern U.S. politics. Polling often shows that Republicans and Democrats differ sharply in how they view figures associated with the opposing party. In this poll, Melania tended to receive more favorable views from Republican respondents, while Democrats were more likely to rate her negatively — a pattern mirrored in broader evaluations of her husband’s presidency.
Public Role and Media Perception
Melania Trump’s role as first lady has been relatively quiet compared with some of her predecessors. While she has continued certain traditional duties, such as participation in charitable events and advocacy work, her public profile is generally lower than those who took on more visible policy initiatives or cultural leadership. This more reserved style may contribute both to admiration from some supporters and to criticisms from others who wanted a more active presence. The release of a documentary about her life and work has also drawn attention, though it has garnered mixed reactions. Some see it as a chance to humanize the first lady and explain her priorities; others view it as less impactful than more substantive public service efforts.
Broader Context of First Lady Evaluations
Historically, first ladies have been evaluated not just on their public work, but on broader perceptions of personal character, leadership, and cultural influence. Figures like Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama benefited from long-standing public admiration, with programs and personalities that resonated widely. In contrast, more recent ratings suggest that public opinion about first ladies often parallels views of the presidency itself, meaning that polarized feelings about the administration can spill over into evaluations of the first lady.
What Comes Next
As Melania Trump remains in the spotlight through public appearances and the documentary, her public image may continue to evolve. Whether she can improve her standing among the broader public — and how her role influences perceptions of future first ladies — will depend on how she chooses to define her position and connect with Americans across the political spectrum.
