A new report highlights alleged strains within the Trump family, particularly between former President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, in connection with the controversy surrounding adult film actress Stormy Daniels. According to the book American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden, Melania was reportedly furious over the affair allegations and wanted Donald Trump to face some form of public humiliation.
The book reveals that during the height of the scandal, Melania canceled an overseas trip. Former White House communications director Stephanie Grisham implied that Melania’s decision was a deliberate move to express her displeasure toward the president. Grisham also noted that Melania sought to directly communicate her frustration with Donald Trump amid the allegations, told the Mirror.
The Stormy Daniels scandal first erupted when Daniels claimed that Trump paid her $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 presidential election to keep their alleged extramarital affair secret. While Trump dismissed the accusations as an “extortion plot,” his former attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating federal campaign laws related to the payment. Daniels further alleged that the affair took place just a year after Trump married Melania, while she was pregnant with their son, Barron.
In 2020, Melania’s former friend and advisor, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, released audio recordings of Melania making disparaging remarks about Daniels. In the recordings, Melania referred to Daniels as a “porn hooker” and discussed her upcoming photo shoot with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. When questioned about the comment, Melania confirmed she was indeed referring to Daniels.
Despite the reported tensions, Melania has been seen standing by her husband’s side at key events, such as her mother’s funeral, suggesting a united front. However, the Daniels scandal, which brought intense public scrutiny, has reportedly caused significant strain in their personal lives.
The book also sheds light on Melania’s early days in the White House. While residing in New York with Barron, she took on the traditional first lady duty of selecting furniture for the White House. However, her choices clashed with her husband’s more opulent tastes, prompting Trump to replace several pieces.
Additionally, the book highlights Melania’s engagement with the news. While Donald Trump preferred watching Fox News, Melania was reportedly an avid CNN viewer, showing a different approach to media consumption compared to her husband.