The Trump family, frequently under the spotlight, often faces intense public scrutiny, leaving little room for privacy. One long-standing controversy involves Melania Trump’s father, Viktor Knavs, and a paternity scandal concerning Denis Cigelnjak, believed to be Melania’s half-brother from Viktor’s previous relationship.
Despite Viktor’s denials, a DNA test confirmed his paternity, and he was legally obligated to pay child support to Denis’ mother until Denis turned 18, according to Nicki Swift. The scandal stems from Viktor’s relationship with a woman named Marija Cigelnjak before he married Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs. In 1964, Marija informed Viktor that she was pregnant.
Although Viktor initially considered marrying her, he allegedly pressured her for an abortion and denied being the child’s father. Even after Denis was born in 1965, Viktor continued to dispute his paternity. A court-ordered blood test eventually confirmed that Viktor was the biological father, but he remained estranged from Denis.
Denis has since shared that his mother never married and raised him alone. He recalled that he never had a relationship with Viktor and was financially supported by his maternal grandfather instead. “It was my mother’s father who supported me for 18 years as my own father repeatedly forgot to pay,” Denis remarked.
Reflecting on his half-sister, Melania, he added, “I am happy for her. I am happy for everyone in her family.” Melania, however, has distanced herself from the scandal. During an interview with GQ, she initially denied any knowledge of the situation.
After being shown court documents, she clarified that she had misunderstood the question and admitted, “I’ve known about this for years. My father is a private individual. Please respect his privacy.” Melania later criticized the GQ article, describing it as “dishonest media and their disingenuous reporting,” and stressed that her parents are private citizens who should not be subjected to unfair scrutiny.
Julia Ioffe, the journalist behind the GQ article, stood by her reporting. “I think she’s understandably upset that some dirty laundry came out,” Ioffe explained, adding, “But her husband is running for president…she is now a public person.”
Ioffe expressed regret if her reporting caused discomfort for Melania but emphasized that the rumors had long circulated in Slovenia, and it was inevitable that the story would surface. The incident highlights the challenges the Trump family continues to face as public figures, with even deeply personal matters attracting public attention.