Melania Trump’s accent defended after people hear her speak for first time

Critics have been slammed for mocking Melania Trump's accent after she read a storybook to children in hospital.

It's the season of giving, and the First Lady was spending time reading a book to youngsters and children who have been unwell ahead of Christmas at the Children's National Hospital.

She was filmed reading aloud to the kids from a book called 'How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?'

Now, people have been rushing to her defence after trolls mocked her accent.

Melania was originally born in Novo Mesto, in Slovenia.

She first moved over to the USA back in 1996, settling in New York, before becoming a United States Citizen in 2006.

Some commenters simply remarked on the fact they didn't remember ever hearing her speak before, while others were more cruel making fun of her for having an Eastern-European accent.

Melania was reading a Christmas story to children (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

"This is so unintentionally funny. I can’t explain it," wrote one, sharing a video clip of her reading.

"It’s like she just stepped off the boat," one said, cruelly.

"Why does this feel like a skit? Never heard her speak," added another, with crying laughing emojis.

One commenter hit back: "Making fun of an accent is so classy."

"These kids deserve joy — and she delivers it beautifully," praised one Trump fan.

"Ever hear a person with an accent? Melania has a beautiful accent. Melania speaks several different languages. She's reading English right in front of you," hit back another.

"I love her accent, she's the only first lady that can read a Christmas story in seven languages," wrote another, and while seven may be a stretch, the First Lady has spoken previously about her love of learning languages.

Speaking to MSNBC in February 2016, she confirmed she speaks: "English, Italian, French, German," as well as her native Slovenian, making that five languages.

Melania was reading to children in hospital (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The footage of Melania reading a Christmas book is a marked turnaround from the controversy seven years ago, when leaked audio featured her being less than impressed by the holidays.

It went viral with the First Lady exclaiming: "Who gives a f**k about Christmas!"

Last week, she invited the press to the White House to show off this years hugely elaborate display of festive decorations.

The theme for 2025 is 'Home Is Where the Heart Is', and featured a whopping 75 wreaths and 51 Christmas trees.

There's more tinsel than you can shake a stick at, as well as more than 2,000 strands of lights.

She's used over 7,620 meters of ribbon, and more than 2,800 gold stars.

Not only that, but there's a slight upgrade from your average gingerbread house too, with 54 kilos of gingerbread.

Melania is definitely in the festive spirit this year.