In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Alex Witt, Stephanie Grisham, a former aide to Melania Trump, made shocking claims about ex-President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents. Grisham, who served as the Communications Director and Press Secretary for the Trump administration, revealed that she witnessed Trump displaying classified material to individuals without proper security clearances at Mar-a-Lago’s dining patio.
When asked by Witt if it was plausible that Trump showed classified documents to people in private meetings, Grisham responded affirmatively, stating, “The short answer is yes. I watched him show documents to people at Mar-a-Lago on the dining room patio. So, he has no respect for classified information. Never did.”
Grisham expressed her anger at Trump’s behavior and his disregard for the sensitivity of classified information. She also noted Trump’s comments about potentially declassifying certain information but failing to do so. She mentioned a portion of audio where Trump allegedly said, “this is off the record,” implying that he was aware of the rules regarding the disclosure of sensitive information to reporters.
Highlighting the seriousness of obtaining security clearances, Grisham emphasized the rigorous process one has to go through, recounting her own experience and a minor delay she faced due to a trivial unpaid bill. She underscored the level of scrutiny involved in the clearance process and the potential danger of sharing classified information with individuals who haven’t undergone such vetting, calling it a disservice to the country and a potential risk to national security.
“Look, you know, Donald Trump, is it plausible Trump was showing classified documents to people in private meetings?”
Trump has repeatedly dismissed the investigation and indictment related to the mishandling of classified documents as a “witch hunt.” These new allegations from Grisham, however, add another layer of concern and raise questions about the former president’s respect for the rules and protocols governing the handling of sensitive information.
The short answer is yes. I watched him show documents to people at Mar a Lago on the dining room patio. So, he has no respect for classified information. Never did. You know, listening to that exchange every time, it just makes me so angry. He he talks specifically that he should have declassified it, but he didn’t. So there, I think, is proof. I believe also there’s a portion of that audio where he says, you know, this is off the record. And I know Donald Trump knows the rules of reporters and he knows if it needs to be off the record that they can’t talk about it.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the claims made by Stephanie Grisham shed light on yet another aspect of the controversies surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency and further fuel the ongoing debate surrounding the handling of classified information at the highest levels of government.
