Following the recent $83 million jury verdict against former President Donald Trump in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, there has been a growing sense of pressure on Melania Trump to encourage her husband to take a more proactive stance in his defense.
Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary and communications director, revealed this development during an interview on MSNBC over the weekend. Carroll, an 80-year-old writer, had accused Trump, who is 75, of sexually abusing her while he was in a relationship with Melania.
The legal setback has not only intensified tensions within the Trump camp but has also reportedly prompted the former First Lady to push for a more assertive response to address the allegations.
Meanwhile, Nikki Haley, who is Trump’s last remaining opponent for the GOP 2024 presidential nomination, voiced criticism about the focus on legal battles instead of addressing pressing national issues. Haley, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, expressed concern about the $83 million in damages awarded in the Carroll case and emphasized the need for the party to prioritize matters such as border security and inflation.
Despite the legal challenges, Trump’s popularity among Republican voters remains strong. He has won both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary and continues to lead national polls, according to FiveThirtyEight.
The exit of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from the race has further solidified Trump’s position, with the former president polling at 70.7 percent, while Haley trails at 14.5 percent.
Currently campaigning in South Carolina, both Trump and Haley are observing a similar trend in their favor. Despite facing an uphill battle, especially as the state’s former governor, Haley remains committed to the race, emphasizing her determination and progress in recent polls.
In addition to her concerns about Trump’s legal issues, Haley has called for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75, a category that includes both Trump and President Joe Biden. She argues that a Trump nomination would result in a Biden victory.
While some polls support Haley’s assertion that she stands a better chance against Biden in the general election, Trump’s solid position as the frontrunner suggests that the road ahead remains challenging for Haley.