Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady

Written by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

Narrated by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

What Melania wants, Melania gets.

The former director of special events at Vogue and producer of nine legendary Met Galas, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff met Melania Knauss in 2003 and had a front row seat to the transformation of Donald Trump’s then girlfriend from a rough-cut gem to a precious diamond. As their friendship deepened over lunches at Manhattan hot spots, black-tie parties, and giggle sessions in the penthouse at Trump Tower, Wolkoff watched the newest Mrs. Trump raise her son, Barron, and manage her highly scrutinized marriage.

After Trump won the 2016 election, Wolkoff was recruited to help produce the 58th Presidential Inaugu­ration and to become the First Lady’s trusted advisor. Melania put Wolkoff in charge of hiring her staff, organizing her events, helping her write speeches, and creating her debut initiatives. Then it all fell apart when she was made the scapegoat for inauguration finance irregularities. Melania could have defended her innocent friend and confidant, but she stood by her man, knowing full well who was really to blame. The betrayal nearly destroyed Wolkoff.

In this candid and emotional memoir, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff takes you into Trump Tower and the White House to tell the funny, thrilling, and heartbreaking story of her intimate friendship with one of the most famous women in the world, a woman few people truly understand.

How did Melania react to the Access Hollywood tape and her husband’s affair with Stormy Daniels? Does she get along well with Ivanka? Why did she wear that jacket with “I really don’t care, do u?” printed on the back? Is Melania happy being First Lady? And what really happened with the inauguration’s funding of $107 million? Wolkoff has some ideas...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781797113838

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, former trusted advisor to First Lady Melania Trump, is the founder of SWW Creative, a consulting agency known for its work in event production, branding, and strategic partnerships. Wolkoff served as executive producer and chief creative officer of the 58th Presi­dential Inauguration and senior advisor to inauguration chairman Thomas J. Barrack, Jr. She was also the director of Special Events for Vogue; the founding fashion director for Lincoln Center, overseeing Mercedes-Benz Fash­ion Week; and a recipient of the 2011 Gordon Parks Foundation Award. Currently she’s vice chairperson for the Fed­eral Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation, advisor to Hopeland, and a board member of the UN Women for Peace Association, which is committed to the prevention of violence against women and girls. Through her association with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, she is an advocate for integrating the teaching of social-emotional learning into our education systems nationally and worldwide. Wolkoff resides in New York with her family.

Reviews for Melania and Me

[Michelle Tanenbaum Girard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked that the author didn’t hold back in Ivanka and Melanias relationship and showed how conniving Ivanka can be. TheTrumps are fake , liars, users and corrupt. Good story!

[Chris Rose · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the book often frustrating to listen to because the author’s actions were so foolish & petty. With an inflated ego, she repeatedly tries to infuse herself into situations she should never have been involved with, looking out for her ‘friend’, bossing people around when she didn’t have an official title & wasn’t on the payroll, leading to resentment & her own physical & mental demise. Melania would never have gone to any trouble for her if the situation had been reversed. First lesson: no title & no power = resentment. Second lesson: being apolitical can be irresponsible.
Learning that Melania REALLY doesn’t care is good to know too.

[Carey Durden · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this book because I heard about it on the Rachel Maddow Show. I've also read a lot of the reviews about on Audible. Let me begin by saying that criticizing the author for her narration is just stupid. The main reason that most books use a narrator is because writing and speaking are two very different things. She her voice was monotone and she spoke very fast, just like we all do when we have to read something aloud we've written or had involvement with. Go ahead and pull up your last text conversation and read it aloud. I am sure that this recounting (this is not a story, it is her written accounting of events that transpired from her perspective) of what had to be a gut wrenching re-telling of a very painful and on-going event that has reshaped the remainder of her life. I feel for her, I could hear in her voice the sections that were in no doubt extraordinarily difficult to write and even harder to verbalize in a recording. I could hear the shakiness and trembling in her voice. Which sadly, makes me trust that she is telling her recounting as truthfully as she was able to, without giving away the stuff that she legally unable to at this point.

Initially, I thought I had been duped because she spent the first 9 chapters building up her adoration of Melania Trump (aka MT). To be honest, if the two of them had at some point had some sort of love affair, I would not be surprised. She had a very strong girl crush for sure.

I am glad I listened to it, it confirmed what I had suspected, ALL of the Trumps are snakes and should not be trusted. I do however, suspect that at the end of the day, Melania Trump may be the smartest of them all as she has kept herself and her son very well protected from the rest of the families activities on paper at least.

I was disappointed at the end because I did not get the happy ending many of us wish for. But seeing as this is still a Federal investigation, it will likely be sometime before any sort of ending will be upon us. Let's all get to Voting in November!

I truly hope that for the sake of SSW and her family she is able to make enough in the sale of this publication to recoup financially from the devastation this has caused. And one day, I hope that the investigation leads to justice for SSW and all of the others left in the winds due to the actions of the Trumps, and is not limited to just those that served under them while in office. The Trump family has a very well documented and a largely undocumented history of destruction of others for the self gain and benefit of the Trumps.

[Jennifer Ferris · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There is not one person in this book that I like. Well, maybe the WH kitchen staff and butler, but that's all. There are a lot of texts between Melania and Stephanie and they use a lot of emojis! Because it's an audiobook, the author describes each emoji (holding hands emoji, nerd emoji, tongue out emoji, heart emoji...) It gets annoying. And they NY accent is hard to listen to, as well. This is a book best read, instead of listened to.

[Louis Pearl · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Tedious and overly detailed. Caddy, gossipy and vindictive. The writer has the same moral compass as the Trump family.

[Cindy Mata · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

One would thing having a 17 year friendship with someone that they would have foreseen their character. Basically Stephanie crosses the friendship line by volunteering to work for the First Lady. A true professional would have known better than to work with no contract and to work for free. I closed the book several times because I really found her repetitive and whiny. But later decided to finish it. I believe she crossed the line of friendship in many ways.

[Agnes Webb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ugh this lady still doesn’t realize her part in helping to dismantle our democracy. The book tells of how she freely volunteered her time and money to help create the mess we have today. It’s infuriating to read that she thought she and Melania Trump (of all people) were going to “change the world for the better.” REALLY?! Did she watch the same 2016 campaign I did?

[Otto Lagarde · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This woman took part in the takeover and attempt to destroy our democracy. Secretly recorded her good “Friend” with the intentions of profiting from her closeness to the first couple. The book is gossipy and her voice super annoying. She seems conceited, elitist and she doesn’t waste any opportunity to let you know she has power and is well connected. That was hard to listen to. A bad book from another White House crook associated with that crime family. The author is just another backstabbing member of the Trump inner circle. Bad person with bad intentions = bad book.

[Irene Villarreal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book frustrated me in that the writer let Melania Trump use her over & over again while Melania never really went out of her way for anyone but herself and her family. Stephanie worked hard & lost so much only to be left hung out to dry.

[Maribel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was inciteful and well written . You never know what truly goes on inside someone’s home. But her experience with the first family says a lot about the Trump dynamics

[Lynndee Riley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been reading as many of the books written about the Trump administration as possible. This book affirmed the information gathered by Mary Jordan in her book, "The Art of Her Deal". It is an inside telling of what was going on behind the scenes with Melania Trump during the campaign, inauguration and the ensuing investigations into the graft and corruption.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff at first makes you wonder why she is providing so much detail regarding meetings, conversations and arrangements particularly for the inauguration. Later in the book, it becomes clear that the detail was gathered and available due to the numerous subpoenas for the cavalcade of investigations triggered by the Muller investigation.

The late night talk show hosts often joke that Melania is being held hostage. This book puts a completely different shade of light on Melania, her modus operandi, her complicity while at the same time keeping herself distanced from any knowledge of how the sausage is being made.

[Irene Favela · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I bought into the trump BS narrative that you had been paid 26 million ........ after reading ? your book I apologize and I see your heart was in the right place ....but the same can’t be said for the nest of vipers aka the trumps “The Family”

[Bohemian Feline · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What I take from this book besides Melania’s obvious betrayal is - basically, this whole mess with SWW was created by Ivanka, in order to push Melania out of her way, it was literally west wing vs east wing & Ivanka sabotaged Melania & Stephanie every chance she could. I hope Ivanka goes to prison for a long time.

[Francine Haber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The rivalry between the first ladyMelania Trump and the first daughter Ivanka Trump or Princess depicted in detail.
Chaos organizing the 2016 inauguration

[Natacha Reyes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good insight on what is happening in the White House on Melania’s side of the desk. The author made sure to give us a holistic outlook on the first-lady when she could’ve easily bashed her. Good read!

[Caro · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Overall, the book is so so and offer a slight insight of the former First Lady. Which doesn't say much! For political enthusiasts, you will learn nothing new. Simply perhaps, that political corruption is entrenched at every level of this family. I wouldn’t have expected nothing new from Melania Trump. She married the guy for crying out loud! There is no grand mystery from this woman who thinks that cultivating ‘mystery’ gives her a level of profoundness and intelligence! Woman, please!!!! What is the most frustrating aspect of this book, is the author itself who finally and only saw evil when she was sidelined by the Trump's. Not when he was saying the most outrageous and racists comments (considering she comes from a Jewish family), not by caging families at the border, not by giving the biggest tax break to rich people, and certainly not by killing so many Americans with the pandemic for political reasons!!!!! You were inside and gladly helped these criminals implemented and destroy the very fabric of what is the United States. As long as you were not affected by their policies, you led them installed this narrative where lying is the norm, injuring is the norm and stealing is the norm. My comments may be harsh but when the actions of this family and those who gladly sat and reap the benefits of their actions will have an impac for many years, harsh words are the least of your concerns!

[Al · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good and informative read. Got to know the real Melania which she has kept secret for so long.

[Rachel Schultz Dickerson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Stephanie’s journey and discovering the truth about who the Trumps are!

[Kare Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That facts are coming out! Such an eye opening book.

[Melissa · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I finished the book but had to force myself . It was like listening to the knock off version of "Mean Girls." Boring, whiny, unrelatable. Superficial doesn't begin to describe these two women.

[Dianne Post · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a book!!
Thank you Stephanie for sharing the truth.
The fact the she reads the book lends to the honestly and integrity of this incredibly wicked tale of the Trumps.

[Faye Beingessner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thankfully Stefanie you were able to put this experience into words. Keep up the fantastic work with your beautiful family by your side. You have at last let me understand why Melanie stays with the beast and it’s because she is paper thin skin deep and she is one of them. She really doesn’t give a care!!! Blessings ?,
Faye

[audrey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. Maybe it doesn’t deserve 5 stars, but I felt like the author was very open and honest and I could understand and relate to her thought process and decision making throughout (not to say I necessarily agreed with her choices, but I could understand her rationale). Obviously there’s some great insight into the dynamics of the the former first family, particularly in relation to Melania, which was interesting, but ultimately it’s a book about a relationship between two women in a relatable dynamic (as a woman who has also had many meaningful friendships with other women): the giver/people pleaser and the cool, confident, unknowable woman who she gets close to. So this dynamic of two women who do seem to mutually care for each other, but in a classic toxic dynamic of the overachieving type-a personality and her friend who has a low capacity for love and essentially only lets people in to her life who can offer her something without costing her anything.

[Tony · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Wow! The swearing is awful! So many “f” words. Do people really talk like that? It sounded like a rant and wine session and an opportunity to promote herself. I believe what she is saying is mostly true (from her point of view) but the delivery was not good, although it was interesting to hear what goes on in the White House and what goes into planning and I do acknowledge if what she says is true that she worked way too hard to please the Un-pleasable... ?

[Shar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This must have been a difficult book to write, pouring over all her contact with Melania and bring up memories from a friendship that in the end didn't mean anything. I think it must also have been a cathartic experience to write about her side of the story, and in listening to her describe the events in gory detail, I believe her. My interpretation was no different from what I thought of Melania without knowing the details of this book.

[Kristin Lange · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting to get some real insights into that mysterious first lady and the trump family.

[randypanther · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hopefully this will be a catharsis for a woman who was used and abused, albeit willingly. Sometimes we get so caught up in thinking that our moral and ethical way will eventually succeed that we fail to see the many danger signals so visible - just like SWW. Apparently just this week (mid-Dec 2021) Melania is on the ‘Be Best’ program again: Stephanie must be gagging!!!

[C.C. Silsbee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The friendships between socialites & what they do with their time does not interest me; i also have no idea why a person would never vote & take exception 4 a moronic looser who has never worked; not to mention a psychopath rapist, liar, racist, sadistic agent of Russia. It is difficult to sympathize, though i give her credit for exposing the truth from her perspective of how evil Melania is, answeing the question of why she stays married to little donny; she is as evil as him. I got through about a quarter of this book & wish there was a printed copy so i can read selective portions.....I prefer Mary Trumps book; Mary Trump is humble, sincere, and clearly knew how evil he is when she was a child.

[txann63_462917388 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have already posted a review but rhe request remains in my IPhone. Please remove it!

[Susan harnett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Melania is pretty much what you’d expect. Self-absorbed, entitled, with little to no self-awareness. She obviously was not interested in her role as First Lady, and rebelled against participating in the most minor of traditions. Winston Wolkoff spends a third of the book sucking up to her: a third making her into a victim; and the rest realizing, like the rest of America, she’d been had.