First lady Melania Trump’s official biography on the White House website has been updated so that it no longer contains a reference to her QVC jewelry collection which some could perceive as a potential endorsement.
The White House website has updated its biography of first lady Melania Trump to avoid the appearance of promoting her QVC jewelry line, reports CNN.
The controversial section initially read, “In April 2010, Melania Trump launched her own jewelry collection, 'Melania™ Timepieces & Jewelry,' on QVC.”
Many raised concerns and questions; for example, an op-ed on CNET speculated, “Could this be the first time that a trademark has adorned a First Lady's biography? Is this a healthy sign of a new business-like America? Or does this sit a little uncomfortably…?”
Social media also responded, with one user writing, “So is this what America got a QVC Jewelry sales First Lady?”
A spokesperson from Trump's team told CNN that the mention of QVC has since been taken off her official biography “out of an abundance of caution” in order to remove any hints of an endorsement.
The line has been updated to read, simply, “In April 2010, Melania Trump launched her own jewelry collection.”
Meanwhile, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell tweeted a statement from the retail channel which says, in part, “At this time, QVC does not have an active relationship with [Melania Trump’s] brand.”