Former First Lady Melania Trump has announced her 2024 self-titled memoir will feature an AI-generated replica of her voice for the audiobook version, hailing it as the “future of publishing.” “Melania: The Audiobook,” unveiled via X on May 22, 2025, is presented with the tagline, “My story. My perspective. The truth,” and is available on Trump’s personal website.
The Technology Behind the Voice
Software company ElevenLabs created the AI narration for Trump’s seven-hour audiobook. Launched in 2022, ElevenLabs’ voice synthesis technology faced controversy over misuse, including generating deepfake celebrity voices for hateful content and fueling harassment of voice actors.
ElevenLabs states it has since tightened controls, now mainly allowing users to clone their own voices. Melania Trump confirmed to Newsmax the AI voice was developed “under my strict supervision,” aiming to “establish an unforgettable connection with my personal story…for listeners worldwide.”
Memoir Availability and Market Context
Trump’s audiobook is currently English-only, with multilingual versions (Hindi, Spanish, Russian) planned for fall, using ElevenLabs’ 30+ language capability.
Released during last year’s presidential campaigns, the memoir topped the New York Times hardcover nonfiction best-seller list but had modest first-week sales of over 85,000 copies. This contrasts with Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” which sold 2 million copies in 15 days, becoming 2018’s top hardcover. “Melania” holds a 3.83 Goodreads rating and shared personal details, including a pro-choice stance.
AI Narration: A Growing Trend with Caveats
AI audiobooks are increasingly common. Apple introduced “digital narration” years ago, and Amazon recently revealed plans for AI narrators. ElevenLabs claims AI can narrate audiobooks in hours, reducing time and costs.
However, quality concerns persist. ElevenLabs admits AI “lacks the nuanced emotional expression” of humans. Critics find AI voices “alien” or “glitchy.” Despite this, ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski told NewsMax he’s “excited that Melania Trump trusted our technology” for this audiobook, anticipating multilingual releases in her AI voice.
Conclusion
Melania Trump’s venture into AI-narrated audiobooks signifies a notable step in publishing’s technological evolution. While proponents highlight efficiency and accessibility, concerns about authenticity and the displacement of human talent remain. This project underscores the growing presence of AI in creative industries, prompting ongoing discussions about its role, ethical implications, and the future of storytelling.
