Olivia Asher is a reporter at the New Herald Tribune covering breaking news for the Digital Trends Desk. Before joining the newsroom in 2022, she covered criminal justice issues at the Orlando Plain Dealer.
February 16 , 2026
New York - First Lady Melania Trump has begun her yearly observance of Ramadan, continuing a personal tradition that has become a subject of quiet curiosity in political and cultural circles. Though not a widely publicized aspect of her private life, Trump has spoken briefly in past interviews about the period as a time for reflection, empathy, and gratitude.
According to a spokesperson, her observance this year will include private fasting, charitable donations, and evenings spent “in contemplation and conversation about unity across faiths.” The statement emphasized that Trump’s practice is “not meant as a political gesture,” describing it instead as “a personal recognition of shared human values.”
Trump first drew attention for her Ramadan observance several years after leaving the White House, when social media users noted her visits to interfaith charity events and community iftars. While she is nominally a Roman Catholic, she has described her embrace of certain Ramadan practices as “a gesture of respect toward spiritual discipline and compassion.”
Reactions have remained mixed but generally respectful. Some commentators have praised her for demonstrating cultural empathy, while others have questioned her motives. Academics who study interfaith engagement see her participation as part of a gradual trend among public figures seeking to highlight the universal ethics that different faiths share.
Trump is expected to conclude her observance at the end of Ramadan next month with a private gathering at her residence in Florida. Her office has indicated there will be “no public statements or events” planned around the occasion.
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