'They want to ban books': Melania Trump's defense of nude modeling befuddles MSNBC panel
An MSNBC panel left with more questions than answers after former first lady Melania Trump posted a video Wednesday that hit back at those criticizing her nude modeling.
Speaking about it, the panel weighed in that their confusion wasn't over Melania Trum's nudity so much as the Republican's opposition to anything similar.
"It's clear Melania is out again. She's beautiful and celebrating her naked, beautiful body. I applaud her, right? Do it. I find it fascinating with 49 days to go, that was the message that the spouse of the candidate thought was most central," said host Nicolle Wallace.
Mrs. Trump's video talks about her commercial nude modeling as compared to some of the greatest Renaissance artwork in museums around the world.
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After showing the video, Wallace confessed she wasn't certain that she fully understood what Mrs. Trump was trying to say.
"Yes, she's beautiful. I guess, in her view, she's as beautiful as the sculptures?" the still-confused Wallace questioned. Still, she was supportive. "You go, girl. And your husband is on the ballot. In your husband's view, this election is everything. He says the country ends and this is what I mean — what are they doing?"
Professor Maya Wiley said that she's not entirely certain this was coordinated with the campaign.
"The only reason I'm saying that is because I agree with you. Melania Trump should be able to be who she wants to be. For what she wants to do and that includes taking her clothes off. No judgment there on her," said Wiley.
Melania's nude photos have spread throughout the internet for years. In one photoshoot, Mrs. Trump was featured kissing another woman and nude cuddling between the two. The photos seemingly put her at odds with the Republican Party, which has attacked former first lady Michelle Obama for wearing sleeveless dresses.
Wallace confessed if she looked like Mrs. Trump she's not sure she'd "ever put clothes on."
"If we're at the naked part of the show, I mean, I'm so happy to hear that message but, again, you are the spouse of the candidate who is running on the message that the country ends in 49 days and that's what you did today?" Wallace questioned.
Columnist Molly Jong-Fast explained that where the conflict comes from is that Republicans are fighting to ban books that they believe are even slightly sexual. Even books that aren't sexual but have characters who are gay are on the ban list for MAGA ideologues. Books about World War II, African American leaders like Rosa Parks and more are also on the ban list. Meanwhile, Trump's wife is justifying her nudity.
"They want to ban books," said Jong-Fast. "So this cannot be taken in a vacuum. To say that the media is somehow the villain? You are the wife of the presidential candidate. They want to ban books."
At one point, Florida banned a book about book bans.
See the full conversation below or at the link here.
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