Melania Trump’s assertiveness and divergence from her husband’s views have been prominently displayed in her responses, or lack thereof, to his scandals. Kate Andersen Rogers explores a significant moment in late 2018, highlighting Melania’s reaction to adult film star Stormy Daniels’ allegations. Daniels claimed that she had received $130,000 just before the 2016 election to keep silent about a past sexual encounter with Donald Trump, which had occurred a decade earlier, during Melania’s pregnancy with Barron.
When the news of the Stormy Daniels scandal became public, Melania opted to withdraw from an overseas trip with her husband, choosing to retreat to Mar-a-Lago without him, as documented by Rogers. Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s press secretary who accompanied her on the trip, revealed that the First Lady had a deliberate motive to communicate her anger to the president through this action.
Speaking to Rogers, Grisham characterized Melania’s move as intentional, stating, “I think she was pissed at Trump and wanted him to be a little humiliated that she took off.” This deliberate withdrawal underscored Melania’s willingness to publicly express her discontent and marked a noteworthy instance of her asserting independence and differing opinions from her husband amid a high-profile scandal.
