Throughout their marriage, Melania Trump has largely ignored the controversy surrounding her husband, Donald Trump’s cheating scandals, and let her silence speak for itself. She didn’t seem even remotely fazed when the Wall Street Journal accused Donald of cheating with adult film star Stormy Daniels and paying her $130,000 in hush money ahead of the 2016 presidential elections. Speaking with ABC News, Melania explained, “It is not concern and focus of mine. I’m a mother and a first lady, and I have much more important things to think about and to do.” Nor has the First Lady ever addressed Donald’s rumored affair with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, shortly after their son Barron was born in 2006.
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Instead, Melania has moved in silence as Donald’s alleged indiscretions continued to dominate headlines. In fact, she even stood by her husband, telling ABC News that they’re okay despite speculation about the state of their marriage. “It’s what media speculate, and it’s gossip,” Melania insisted. “It’s not always correct stuff.” However, those close to Melania claimed that she was more upset by the scandal than she let on. A former White House aide predicted Melania’s true feelings about Donald’s hush money trial and said she’s probably embarrassed by the whole ordeal.
“It’s humiliating for her,” Stephanie Grisham posited during a 2024 appearance on CNN. “I can guarantee you that she’s not happy right now and that [Donald is] quite worried about that.” Contrary to what Melania said in 2018, Grisham added, “When those came out that [Donald] had these affairs, she didn’t take it lightly at all.” But if Melania was indeed affected by her husband’s affairs, she certainly didn’t let it show.
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Melania Trump remains fiercely loyal to Donald (or so it seems)
In 2024, during the press tour for her self-titled book “Melania,” Melania Trump sat down with “Fox & Friends” host Ainsley Earhardt to talk about her memoir and discuss her marriage to Donald Trump. Despite his rumored affairs, the First Lady of the United States spoke warmly of her husband when asked what she wanted the public to know about the president. “That he’s a family man,” Melania said. “He loves his family, he loves his country, and all he wants is to build better and be prosperous.” She also described her favorite qualities in him: “His being,” she said of Donald. “His humor, his personality, his kindness. He’s very special. … Yeah, so we have a beautiful relationship.”
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Still, there have been rumors that Melania has been keeping her distance from Donald, especially with her absence from the campaign trail throughout much of the election season. Speaking on “The Daily Beast” podcast, biographer Michael Wolff ignited the Donald-Melania divorce rumors by stating they are essentially separated. “They clearly do not in any way inhabit a marriage as we define marriage. And I think maybe we can more specifically say they live separate lives,” argued Wolff. “They are separated. The president of the United States and the first lady are separated.”
However, during her interview with Earhardt, Melania made it clear that her absence isn’t indicative of a troubled marriage. When asked how she felt about Donald running for a second term, Melania stressed, “I support him. I know how passionate he is to make America great again.”
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