Welp, this just got interesting. Twice. A source close to Melania Trump says the former First Lady has no plans to participate in her husband’s 2024 presidential campaign, adding that Melania has her own life at the couple’s Palm Beach, Florida, home at Mar-a-Lago and likes to be left to herself. Or does she?
As reported by People, Melania wants to remain out of the spotlight, due at least in part to Donald’s arraignment last Tuesday on alleged hush-money payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels, along with several other investigations. In that respect, the report makes sense, given that Melania Trump hasn’t exactly sought attention throughout her husband’s political career.
According to People, the source said of the former First Lady:
Melania is not now or hasn’t recently taken part in her husband’s political events. It is not comfortable for her. Melania can be aloof and not particularly friendly because she simply wants to be left alone.
The source told People prior to a Manhattan grand jury’s vote to indict Trump that Melania was angry about her husband’s role in the alleged hush money payment, which stems from a rumored extramarital affair with Daniels, which the erstwhile porn star claimed took place less than four months after Melania gave birth to Barron in 2006.
She remains angry and doesn’t want to hear [the alleged hush money payment] mentioned. She is aware of who her husband is and keeps her life upbeat with her own family and a few close friends.
[…]
Melania does what is expected and wants Barron to have as much protection around him as possible. [She’s] normally quiet and in the background, [which] has served her well in the series of scandals plaguing her husband. I assume this will continue.
Following Trump’s arraignment last Tuesday, in his first comments he thanked his family for supporting him in his legal battle, but notably left out Melania:
I have a son here who’s done a great job and I have another son here who’s done a great job; and Tiffany, and Ivanka. And Barron will be great someday. He’s tall and smart. But I have a great family and they’ve done a fantastic job and we appreciate it very much.
Asked to comment on the source’s comments, Melania‘s office told People in a statement:
People should read stories about Mrs. Trump and her feelings with caution, especially those citing sources that are anyone but Mrs. Trump.
As is usually the case when sources reveal alleged conversations to the media, the question comes to mind: Who’s telling the truth, and who’s not? I don’t know — although with multiple quotes attributed to the former First Lady, it’s an interesting question for sure.
It Gets Even Curiouser
As reported by Page Six on Monday, Trump made a post-arraignment plea to his wife: “I really need you.”
“He told her, ‘I really need you for this because we are going to be campaigning,’” a source said. “They had a major talk over the weekend, and she has … agreed to be on board.
“Happy Easter!” the former first lady, 52, tweeted with a photo of a rose.
It marked the first time she had posted anything since Trump’s arrest.
Anyway, back to Trump’s presidential campaign.
So, here’s the thing: Two conflicting accounts, which could suggest both are true. It’s reasonable to assume the People account was correct, and Trump then put the squeeze on Melania to change her mind. The bottom line will be if she campaigns for Donald or doesn’t. Only time will tell.
In a related story, as reported by my colleague Duke, Ivanka Trump Kushner posted on Instagram following her father’s indictment, saying she was “pained” by the goings-on:
I love my father, and I love my country. Today, I am pained for both. I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.
“Pained.” In what way? Given Ivanka’s tepid response — with zero speculation on Donald’s innocence or guilt — “pained” could be taken several different ways. Perhaps that was the former First Daughter’s intent.
In related news, Ivanka said in November she doesn’t plan to be involved with Trump’s campaign, either.
I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics.
Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner worked as senior White House advisors to Trump during his four years in office, and both assisted his campaigns in 2016 and 2020.
As we reported in December, Jared said: “Look, I’m out. I’m really out.” An insider explained to The New York Post in November:
They both feel they got burned in Washington and don’t want to go back and expose themselves and their children to another bitter campaign.
One might imagine.
The Bottom Line
While the first Melania story tracks well with her near-shunning of the spotlight throughout Donald’s presidency, it doesn’t necessarily suggest she disagrees with his decision to run again.
On the other hand, given the constant drama surrounding her husband — much of it, self-inflicted — would it be any wonder if she hated the notion? Likewise, does it come as a surprise that neither Ivanka nor Jared wants to participate in a third Trump campaign?
Join the conversation as a VIP Member