Melania Trump announced on Tuesday that, later this month, she will be holding an auction for three items called The Head of State Collection.
The auction will include her self-described “iconic broad-brimmed, one-of-a-kind hat” that she wore when Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron visited the White House back in April 2018.
To further incentivize bidders, she has signed the custom white hat that was created for her by her personal stylist, Hervé Pierre.
In addition to the hat, the auction lot will include a watercolor of her wearing the same hat by French artist Marc-Antoine Coulon, the same artist who drew her eyes for her NFT last month, and a digital version of that same artwork as a non-fungible token.
The former first lady announced the news on Twitter.
The important collection features three one-of-a-kind signed items, including the iconic white hat worn during the French Republic's State Visit. A portion of the proceeds will support children from the foster care community. #MelaniaNFT #FosteringTheFuture #BeBest #HeadOfState
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 4, 2022
In her tweet, Trump said that “a portion of the proceeds will support children from the foster care community,” though it is unclear how much will be donated.
The three items will have an opening bid of $250,000. Moreover, the only payment accepted is via SOL, a form of cryptocurrency.
When news dropped, many people online compared Trump’s post-White House career to that of previous first ladies such as Michelle Obama —and they did not mince their words.
Note to Melania: THIS was an "iconic" hat. No one on the fecking planet remembers yours. pic.twitter.com/QB1LAVrh0c
— Sister Celluloid (@sistercelluloid) January 4, 2022
Melania Trump promotes selling her hat - Michelle Obama promotes registering to vote. pic.twitter.com/2B1ASiot17
— anyone_want_chips (@anyonewantchips) January 4, 2022
“Since Melania is auctioning off items she wore during state visits as First Lady to make a buck, let me remind you that Michelle Obama's Best Dresses Are NOT Hanging in Her Closet. They were given to the national archives or donated to the Smithsonian,” wrote one person.
Since Melania is auctioning off items she wore during state visits as First Lady to make a buck, let me remind you that Michelle Obama's Best Dresses Are NOT Hanging in Her Closet. They were given to the national archives or donated to the Smithsonian https://t.co/zGR5YAdWiK
— ALT-immigration 🛂 (@ALT_uscis) January 4, 2022
Others criticized Trump’s venture into the world of NFT’s, which many viewed as a dodgy way to further her own personal profit.
Melania Trump getting into NFTs and Crypto makes sense since her whole life is about bad decisions.
— 💀DeathMetalViking💀 (@DeathMetalV) January 4, 2022
Melania Trump is selling a white hat (no symbolism here! None. Look away.) that she wore as first lady
— Rebel Rev - Whip Maker/Table Flipper (@SheriPallasPhD) January 4, 2022
LOL auctioning it off for a minimum bid of $250,000
And get this, LOL the proceeds go to her "Be Best" charity
It's a family rule to keep charity money
Grifters gonna grift! pic.twitter.com/k9my95Vbet
Disgusting. Classless. Zero respect for the office. Or history. Nothing but a shameless money-hungry grifter... #Melania #Trump https://t.co/GSggbCdK8K
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) January 4, 2022
So Melania is holding an auction which is really just an elitist go fund me😳
— Y'all hurry up🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇺🇸 (@catfishyak) January 4, 2022
Of course, what is the internet if not humorous? Some people took advantage of the news to poke fun at the ongoing joke about her and her husband Donald Trump.
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One person tweeted, “Melania Trump humiliates herself by promoting a public yard sale auctioning off personal items including the hat she wore with Emmanuel Macron - but divorce lawyers can be expensive.”
Melania is having a garage sale! #MelaniaNFT pic.twitter.com/Mu484A0eol
— The Terrible Truth (@oterribletruth) January 4, 2022
Another said, “So, Melania Trump is selling off Presidential Memorabilia to raise a few bucks? I sure hope someone took inventory at the White House after those two left.”
I hope Melania Trump sells that hat so she and Donald can keep the lights on for another 30 days.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) January 4, 2022
You could seal wrap Melania Trump's merchandise, attach it to a DVD of any Police Academy film, and put it in the $2 Walmart bin, and I still wouldn't buy it, and I love the Police Academy films, all of them.
— Mr. Newberger + (@jeremynewberger) January 4, 2022
There have been 43 official first ladies. So ranking the classiest and smartest from #1 to #43, Melania definitely makes it in the top 50, at #43.
— ⚡️WAM⚡️ (@WayneA_Moreland) January 4, 2022
Wish Melania’s “Everything Must Go” sale included her husband. pic.twitter.com/3EF3Lp5wfC
— Emily Brandwin (@CIAspygirl) January 4, 2022
What the garage sale is going on here??
— Mazi Chidi (@ChidiNwatu) January 4, 2022
Is Melania desperate for money? Selling off her rubbish is so beneath the dignity of a First Lady.
— Freddie Fan 🌊🌊🌊 (@DeniseBalistre1) January 4, 2022
It's embarrassing.
Melania sold her soul awhile back...hats are all she has left.
— BrotherMatthew 🇺🇸 (@STPFreak) January 4, 2022
