Melania Trump received a U.S. EB-1 visa, also known as the “Einstein visa,” in 2001—meant for individuals with “extraordinary abilities.” This raised questions, particularly from Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who recently challenged how Melania qualified for such a visa, pointing out that it’s typically granted to Nobel winners, Olympic athletes, or others with major achievements.
Melania, a model scouted by Paolo Zampolli, had been in the U.S. since 1996 on various visas. In 2000, she applied for the EB-1, reportedly with Zampolli’s help. Critics, like Crockett, questioned whether her modeling career met the high standard required.
However, Snopes investigated and found it’s not unheard of for models to qualify for either the EB-1 or the similar O-1 visa, both requiring proof of extraordinary ability. While Snopes couldn’t confirm Melania’s exact visa details, it concluded that her case may not have been as unusual as critics suggest.