Melania Trump Launches Women's Leadership Initiative Imperia at NYSE

Melania Trump marked the launch of her new initiative, Imperia, by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The program aims to support women in becoming leaders and achieving economic power.

Imperia's membership includes CEOs, founders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Trump stated that while much of her previous focus as first lady was on children, Imperia will leverage her business acumen to encourage women to harness their economic power and to foster a better understanding of women's roles in the global economy.

“For generations, women fought for a seat at the table,” Trump said at a meeting of the group. “The next chapter is about owning, growing and making space for the women who come next.” She elaborated that this involves owning businesses, equity, real estate, capital, and investment assets, as well as "our ideas, our intellectual property and our economic future."

Trump asserted that many people still do not fully grasp the extent of women's power in the global economy. "Women are not just part of the marketplace, simple participants. We are its foundation, and we are its infrastructure,” she added.

In a rare television interview on Fox News Channel's “Fox & Friends” prior to the NYSE event, Trump discussed Imperia, her public engagements, and other topics. She addressed recent news reports suggesting a decrease in her public appearances compared to President Donald Trump's first term. Trump stated that the difference lies in her increased focus on achieving results.

“You don’t see me everywhere, but behind the scenes I’m working nonstop,” she said, citing preparations for her events in New York during the U.N. General Assembly and for the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping as examples. “I’m working on so many projects ... in the future. So stay tuned.”

Trump was involved in the planning for Xi's visit. She mentioned that President Trump decided to personally greet the Chinese leader upon his arrival due to their "great relationship."

Earlier in the year, as of July, Melania Trump had facilitated the reunification of five groups of Ukrainian and Russian children with their families. This work highlights a more global approach she has taken. She indicated having a "direct channel" with leaders from the involved countries and that her team is working on additional reunifications. “This is ongoing, and we want to reunite as many children as possible,” she said. “What they’re going through, it’s heartbreaking. And it’s nothing better to see than a child reunite with the parents, right?”

In January, Trump also rang the opening bell at the NYSE before the release of her Amazon documentary, “Melania,” which focused on her life in the weeks leading up to Donald Trump's second inauguration. A new two-part docuseries featuring her is slated for release in the fall, which she described as different from the earlier documentary and hinted at including surprises. “It’s more conversation, one on one with me,” Trump said. “So when I was traveling and doing all of the filming, the director was asking me questions, and there are some private questions that I will answer that people never heard before. So it’s kind of exciting.”