August 25, 2025 | 04:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan has written to Melania Trump, wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, urging her to raise the plight of children in Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The appeal was reported by Al Jazeera on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Emine said she was inspired to act after reading Melania’s recent letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the U.S. First Lady called for greater protection of children affected by the war in Ukraine.
What Did Emine Erdogan Ask from Melania Trump?
According to Turkish government media, Emine praised Melania’s awareness of global humanitarian issues and echoed her message.
“As you stated in your letter, every child has the universal and undeniable right to grow up in a loving and safe environment,” she wrote, adding that this right must transcend regions, ethnicities, religions, or ideologies.
She emphasized that supporting those deprived of this right is a shared duty of humanity.
“In this context, especially as the spouse of a leader, your compassion for the lives lost, families torn apart, and children left orphaned under the devastating effects of the war in Ukraine is an initiative that instills hope in hearts,” Emine continued.
Emine also urged similar attention to Gaza, citing figures of 62,000 civilians killed in the past two years, including 18,000 children.
“I believe that you will demonstrate this important sensitivity, which you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children who lost their lives in the war, even more strongly for Gaza,” she wrote.
What Was in Melania Trump’s Letter to Putin?
Earlier this month, Melania Trump’s letter to Putin, delivered personally by Donald Trump, called on the Russian leader to safeguard children affected by the conflict.
”Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nation’s rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger.” Melania wrote, urging Putin to act boldly for the innocence of children.
She framed the appeal as a responsibility that transcends national boundaries, portraying efforts to protect children as a legacy for humanity, not just Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the letter as a humanitarian gesture, though critics said it was vague and sparked speculation about its authenticity.
Why Did Melania’s Letter Spark Conspiracy Theories?
After being circulated online, the letter drew scrutiny over Melania’s signature, which appeared strikingly similar to Donald Trump’s. This fueled conspiracy theories ranging from autopen use to artificial intelligence assistance.
Handwriting experts noted that Melania’s style has grown increasingly angular, resembling Trump’s over the years. Meanwhile, AI analysis suggested that much of the letter may have been generated with minimal human editing.
Some critics dismissed the letter as verbose and lacking substance. Others speculated that Melania’s growing reliance on AI (including her plan to have an AI voice narrate her memoir) might extend to her public communications.
Do Both Letters Share the Same Message?
Despite the controversy, both letters converge on the theme of protecting children caught in war. Emine Erdogan’s message sought to build on Melania’s humanitarian appeal by highlighting the suffering of Gaza’s children, calling on world leaders’ spouses to act as voices of compassion amid ongoing conflicts.
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