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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Michelle Del Rey

Melania Trump launches blockchain photo set for fans and collectors – costing $195

Melania Trump is selling a $195 photo collection shortly after her husband’s election win - (Getty)

Former and incoming first lady Melania Trump is selling a digital photo collection on her website ahead of the holiday season.

The set is called “On the Move” and shows different parts of President-Elect Donald Trump’s wife in a variety of settings. “From her office and the campaign trail to her home,” a description on the website states. The photos were taken by Belgian photographer Regine Mahaux and “offer a poignant glimpse into her fast-moving life.”

The sets are selling for $195 apiece. They come with 16 exclusive digital images, Melania Trump’s office said in a statement about the product. One photo shows the Slovenian-born former model standing in front of a jet with a landing strip reading “MELANIA” and holding black sunglasses in her left hand.

“I am pleased to share my journey — through photographs — with fans and collectors,” the 54-year-old said. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the incoming first lady’s Fostering the Future campaign, according to Fox News. The initiative is part of her Be Best campaign, which helps to secure educational opportunities and scholarships for children in foster care.

The former first lady launched the Be Best initiative while in office to combat cyberbullying. She faced some mockery for the project as critics pointed out her husband’s habit of publicly making fun of his opponents online.

Melania Trump promoting her digital photo collection ‘On the Move’ on X (Regine Mahaux/Melania Trump/X)

The former first lady – who will take up the role again on January 20 when her husband is sworn in as the 47th president – released her eponymous memoir last month called Melania. She’s previously sold American-themed nonfungible tokens, digital watercolor art and jewelry.

Her husband has made merchandise a key business venture when it comes to connecting with his supporters. The president-elect sells sneakers, hats, books, keychains and flags on his website. Most products range from $16 to $200.

He’s already capitalizing on his election win by selling apparel reading 45 and 47 to correspond with his presidential terms. Those products, which include a mug, shirts and sweatshirts, range from $28 to $195.

A screenshot of one of Trump’s watches selling for $100,000 (gettrumpwatches.com)

The former president has come under recent fire for selling $100,000 “Swiss-made” watches. Upon their release in September, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Would make a great Christmas Gift. Don’t wait, they will go fast. GET YOUR TRUMP WATCH RIGHT NOW!”

An address for the watchmaker linked back to a Wyoming strip mall next to an H&R Block and a Wendy’s, according to a CNN report, revealing they might not be “Swiss-made” after all.

It’s unclear if Melania Trump plans to return to the White House. Sources have told various media outlets that it’s unlikely she’ll return full-time, but she will attend high-profile ceremonial events like state dinners. She stood by her husband’s side on election day and held his hand following his victory.

Donald Trump released a series of digital trading cards, including one of himself in what appears to be a knock-off Ironman suit (Screenshot / Truth Social / CollectTrumpCards)

She was not present at the White House when her husband held a meeting with President Joe Biden. In a statement, her office said she would “not be attending today’s meeting at the White House. Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging.”

Donald and Melania Trump on the day of his first inauguration, January 20 2017, with their outgoing predecessors, Barack and Michelle Obama (Getty Images)

It’s customary for the current president and first lady to host the president-elect and his wife at the White House before move-in day in January. That courtesy was not extended to Biden or his wife, Dr Jill Biden, when they won in 2020. Melania Trump did meet with Michelle Obama in the Yellow Oval Room following her husband’s first win.

Dr Biden is reported to have given the president-elect a handwritten note for his wife in case she wanted to reach out.

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