In the world of celebrity interviews, few moments are as unsettling as the infamous exchange between Howard Stern and Melania Trump in 1999. This encounter, which played out live on air, offers a stark look into the dynamics of Melania’s relationship with Donald Trump and underscores the controversial nature of his media presence. The call occurred during Donald’s first, ultimately unsuccessful, bid for the presidency. Known for his provocative and often controversial style, Stern invited Trump onto his show, leading to a conversation many now view as one of the most misogynistic exchanges ever broadcast.
During the 1999 interview, Stern’s questioning quickly veered into inappropriate territory, fixating on Melania’s appearance and sex life. At one point, Trump even remarked, “She is actually naked. It’s a thing of beauty.” Such comments were typical of the discussions Stern and Trump often had, which frequently involved objectifying women and delving into explicit details about their sexual experiences. According to The Independent, this incident is often likened to Trump’s infamous “grab them by the p****” remarks from his 2016 presidential campaign, further solidifying his contentious reputation.
Despite the backlash, Trump has attempted to address these issues. During his 2016 campaign, he sought to project a more respectful image, especially in his interactions with women. When Stern once asked him, “Have you ever felt her up in public?” Trump responded, “Yeah…I’m very well-behaved, actually, and almost always I’m very down the middle.” In another instance, when asked a similarly inappropriate question, Trump respectfully deflected, saying, “Well, you know, in the old days I would not have minded answering that question, but today I’ll take a pass.”
Stern, meanwhile, has chosen not to release additional recordings from these interviews. He explained, “I feel Donald Trump did the show in an effort to be entertaining and have fun with us, and I feel like it would be a betrayal to any of our guests if I sat there and played them now where people are attacking him.” Trump, for his part, has defended these interactions as harmless banter, claiming, “I never anticipated running for office or being a politician, so I could have fun with Howard on the radio and everyone would love it. People do love it.”
