5 unflattering Trump family nicknames: Melania Trump was dubbed ‘Rapunzel’ for rarely leaving the White House, while ‘Princess Ivanka’ tried to crash a British royal event

Nov 2 , 2021

From “Rapunzel” to “Slim Reaper” and “The Interns”, the Trump family has had some unflattering nicknames. Photos: AP; @firstfamilytrumps_, @ivankatrump/Instagram

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was dubbed ‘the Slim Reaper’ by former US press secretary Stephanie Grisham in her book, I’ll Take Your Questions Now

Staff called Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner ‘The Interns’, while Ivanka had a snide nickname for Melania, according to Mary Jordan’s book The Art of Her Deal

Giving somebody a nickname can be funny or affectionate … but sometimes it’s a way to throw shade. Unsurprisingly, the Trumps have had their fair share of nicknames over the years, and not all of them have been flattering …

Melania “Rapunzel” Trump

Former US first lady Melania Trump was reportedly nicknamed “Rapunzel” because she rarely left the White House. Photo: @melaniatrumpfashion/Instagram

The Secret Service and other staff started to refer to Melania as “Rapunzel”, the fairy tale character trapped in a tower who used her long flowing hair to escape. But the nickname has nothing to do with the former model’s luscious locks. In fact, it has to do with how Melania rarely left her White House quarters as she preferred to stay holed up with son Barron Trump or her parents, according to former press secretary Stephanie Grisham’s book, I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw at the Trump White House.

Melania Trump walks with son Barron and grandson Joseph Frederick Kushner towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, in August 2017. Photo: Getty Images

The book adds that she spent her time creating a photo album and taking pictures – much to the benefit of secret service agents. Many of them requested to work with Melania in particular because her tendency to stay in meant they got to spend more time with their own families.

Melania Trump: The Portrait

Former US first lady Melania Trump was nicknamed The Portrait by her stepdaughter Ivanka, according to journalist Mary Jordan’s book. Photo: Reuters

Melania’s other nickname, given to her by stepdaughter Ivanka Trump, didn’t come from her love of taking pictures or her modelling past. She was called “The Portrait” because of how little she spoke, according to journalist Mary Jordan’s book The Art of Her Deal, suggesting she was viewed as just a pretty face.