Russian State TV Stirs Outrage by Airing Melania Trump’s Nude Photos During Trump 2024 Election Coverage
In a bold and controversial broadcast, Russia’s state-run television program 60 Minutes ignited a firestorm by airing nude photos of former First Lady Melania Trump. The segment, hosted by Yevgeny Popov and Olga Skabeyeva, was centered on Donald Trump’s return to the political spotlight following his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In an unexpected twist, the hosts showcased provocative images from Melania’s modeling career—including explicit photos from her 2000 GQ magazine shoot—raising eyebrows both in Russia and abroad. The move has sparked fierce debate over media ethics, privacy, and the boundaries of political commentary.
Russian TV Mockingly Welcomes Melania Trump’s Return by Airing Nude Photos—Host Struggles to Contain Laughter
Julia Davis, founder of the Russia Media Monitor watchdog group, drew international attention after posting a now-viral clip on X (formerly Twitter) showing a controversial segment aired on Russian state television. “Meanwhile in Russia: this is how the most-watched state TV channel in the country welcomed Melania Trump’s upcoming return to the White House,” Davis wrote. “Olga Skabeeva is trying not to laugh. This was probably her idea.”
The segment aired on the political talk show 60 Minutes, hosted by Yevgeny Popov and Olga Skabeyeva, and was meant to mark Donald Trump’s reelection victory. But instead of a traditional analysis, the broadcast veered into sensationalism as the hosts showcased racy photos from Melania Trump’s modeling days, including her 2000 GQ magazine spread. Popov narrated the segment with a smirk, remarking: “With Melania Trump’s husband securing victory, she’s preparing for her return to the White House. Take a look at how she appeared in 2000, gracing the cover of GQ.”
The photos shown included Melania posed in lingerie atop fur throws, sultry shots beside a private jet, and a particularly revealing image of her lying on a blue carpet emblazoned with the U.S. presidential seal—wearing only underwear. Skabeyeva, struggling to keep a straight face, added a layer of mockery to an already controversial segment that has since sparked backlash across international media.
Russian Broadcast Ends With Provocative Montage as Melania Trump’s Past Resurfaces
The segment concluded with a striking montage of Melania Trump’s modeling photos, accompanied by a voice-over that echoed one of her past social media messages: “What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?” The rhetorical question alluded to a promotional video Melania had released in anticipation of her upcoming autobiography, sparking renewed debate over the intersection of personal agency and public image.
Melania Trump’s modeling career began early—she was discovered at just 16 by a Slovenian photographer and soon signed with an Italian agency. Her rise in the fashion world took her from the runways of Milan and Paris to New York’s elite modeling circuit throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2000, she famously posed nude for the cover of GQ magazine, a photoshoot that drew fresh attention during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
According to then-GQ editor Dylan Jones, the cover generated intense public interest. “We were flooded with requests to feature Melania,” Jones recalled, noting that Donald Trump himself requested a framed copy of the racy cover to hang in his office—an early hint at how closely the couple’s private and political personas would remain intertwined.
Melania Trump Defends Nude Modeling Career: “Celebrating the Human Form Is Art”
Melania Trump has consistently defended her modeling career, including her nude photoshoots, framing them as expressions of art and personal empowerment. In a video posted on X last September, the former First Lady spoke candidly about her decision to embrace nude modeling. “Why do I stand proudly behind my nude modeling work?” she asked. “The real question is, why does the media feel the need to critique my celebration of the human form in a fashion shoot?”
She went on to emphasize the value of appreciating the human body as a form of artistic expression, drawing comparisons between her work and classical art. “Throughout history, the human form has been celebrated by great artists. Fashion photography is just a modern extension of that legacy,” she stated. Her remarks sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising her confidence and critics questioning the appropriateness of such imagery in the political spotlight.
Melania’s Memoir and Media Storm Collide as She Returns to the Spotlight
Melania Trump’s video concluded with a promotional link to purchase her memoir, released on October 8. The book promises to unveil “stories and images never before shared with the public,” offering a deeper look into her life before and during her time as First Lady.
The controversial Russian TV segment has reignited longstanding debates about privacy, media ethics, and the blurred lines between personal history and public persona. As Melania Trump prepares for a renewed presence on the national stage alongside her husband, the spotlight on her past—whether through art, media scrutiny, or political symbolism—shows no sign of dimming.
