I recently read that people in the White House and Republicans in Congress are planning to name the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after Melania Trump. I thought buildings and public spaces were named after persons that were famous or notable for doing something noble or universally important. 

Melania came to this country on a tourist visa and, according to some media reports, earned over $20,000.00 modeling before she received her H-1B work visa, which would be illegal. She soon met and fell for supposedly wealthy Donald Trump and they had an on-and-off again affair for over five years before they got married. He, of course, had been married twice before and cheated on both wives. She then had a child, Barron, before she became an American citizen, which now makes his son an illegal immigrant by Donald’s push to change the 14^th Amendment. Of course, he says taking away the right to citizenship for children born to illegals won’t be retroactive that far back. How convenient.

Then, while married to Donald, she has become the First Lady twice. So I guess the most notable thing Malena has done is stay married to a serial liar, convicted sex offender, and the greatest grifter in American history, through good times and scandal. Does that warrant naming a famous opera venue after her?

Oh, wait, her life story sounds like an opera plot. Coming to a new country looking for a better life, working illegally, love at first sight, marriage, living the good life, betrayal, rising to the heights of political life amid controversy and potential scandal in a divided country, and living in a lavish mansion in southern Florida mostly alone while her husband does his best to destroy the country.

Maybe her name on the Opera House is fitting.

Ken Kaiyala
7-24-2025