No matter your thoughts on the current political situation, we can all agree that slut-shaming is not okay. On Monday, notably-woke model Emily Ratajkowski came to Melania Trump’s defense on Twitter after a New York Times reporter called her “a hooker” at a New York Fashion Week event.
Sat next to a journalist from the NYT last night who told me “Melania is a hooker.” Whatever your politics it’s crucial to call this out for
— Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) February 13, 2017
what it is: slut shaming. I don’t care about her nudes or sexual history and no one should.
— Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) February 13, 2017
She ended her Twitter rant with, “Gender specific attacks are disgusting sexist bullshit.” We couldn’t agree more. While there are plenty of problems with her husband’s political views (and the fact that Melania seemingly goes along with them), no one deserved to be shamed for their sexual history.
It turns out FLOTUS was ~here for it~, and took the opportunity to use her new Twitter handle to give Emily a shoutout.
Applause to all women around the world who speak up, stand up and support other women! @emrata #PowerOfEveryWoman #PowerOfTheFirstLady
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 14, 2017
While the reporter has since apologized, the situation brings to light a bigger problem about how we talk about Melania. This isn’t the first time she’s been slut-shamed (the New York Post published nude photos from her modeling career last summer), and it likely won’t be the last. Her questionable politics still don’t make it okay for the media to discuss her sexuality. (And in fact, it only detracts from more important issues.)
While it’s a long shot, we’re hoping that this means FLOTUS will start using her platform to start speaking out for all women’s rights, beyond just her own.