On Melania Trump's birthday, her husband wished her from the court – in a short conversation with reporters, between the set up gates. In the courtroom that day, subsequent witnesses testified about Donald Trump paying porn actress Stormy Daniels not to reveal the truth about their affair.
On Friday, former US President Donald Trump appeared in court for another hearing in the case of secretly transferring money to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for silence about their relationship.
Wishes for Melania Trump
He didn't want to miss the opportunity to express his appreciation for his wife on her 54th birthday. – I would like to start by saying to my wife Melania: happy birthday. It would be nice to spend time with her, but I have to be in court, Trump said to reporters as he walked between the courthouse gates.
Donald Trump wished his wife in court in the presence of reportersPAP/EPA/Dave Sanders/POOL
Tammy Vigil, a communications and media expert and author of the book “Melania and Michelle: First Ladies in a New Era,” emphasized that “given the facts and accusations presented to him in court, this is a bit jarring.” “He wasn't particularly elegant in the way he did it,” she said.
This week, for four days, over 10 hours each, the former publisher of a tabloid weekly testified about payments that were intended to conceal Donald Trump's alleged affairs with Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels.
READ MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS: The “zombie case” is back. Donald Trump accused
Trump denies the accusations. But what about such testimony with Melania Trump? According to Vigil, “it must have been very depressing to talk about it so publicly in such an open way and to her face.”
Donald and Melania TrumpCRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA/PAP
How did Melania react?
The former publisher testified that before Trump ran for president, whenever a negative story broke, “Donald Trump was always concerned about Melania.” However, when the campaign began, “what was supposed to happen happened.”
The New York Times reported that the former first lady was furious when the alleged payments to the porn actress came to light. Now, however, the newspaper claims that she shares her husband's opinion that the trial is unfair.
“In a private conversation, she called the process a disgrace and an interference in the elections” – such a fragment of the statement of a person close to her is quoted by “NYT”.
Melania Trump did not appear in court
Despite this, Melania Trump did not appear in court even for a minute. – It would be even more embarrassing for her and would cause an even bigger media storm. She would look sad and weak, Vigil said.
Kate Bennett, biographer of the former president and author of the book “Free Melania”, pointed out that “we do not see her in public moments, standing by her husband.” – It is not part of this cultural image of a wife holding her husband's hand after a humiliating experience – she added.
The former first lady is not taking a significant part in the campaign, although she did make a mysterious declaration earlier. When reporters asked if she would take part in her husband's election campaign, she replied: “be patient.”
So far, she has only attended a Republican event at the Mar-a-Lago estate that took place a week ago.
McDougal from “Playboy” on the relationship with Trump
Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model whose name is also mentioned in the trial, admitted on CNN that she was in love with the businessman. When asked if Trump had ever confessed his love to her, she argued that “he did it all the time.” – He kept saying he loved me, the woman said.
According to Bennett, it must have been more painful for Melania Trump than her husband's alleged affair with Stormy Daniels. – It is much more demanding when a woman claims that she was in an emotional relationship with her husband – said the biographer.
Accusations of secretly giving money to Stormy Daniels
On April 4, 2023, Donald Trump was heard in a New York court on 34 charges related to falsifying business records, including paying $130,000 to hide negative information that would harm his 2016 election campaign.
This amount was allegedly donated to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about her alleged sexual relationship with Donald Trump. The former US president pleaded not guilty and called the whole case a “witch hunt”.
However, similar accusations of payment have also appeared in public spaces Karen McDougal for her silenceso that information about the affair that was supposed to take place between them would not harm the politician and businessman during the campaign.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/Dave Sanders/POOL