Is a potential divorce for Melania Trump on the horizon?
Trump's political and financial enemies are always lurking, making his relationship with Melania a hot topic in US media. Her absence on Trump's 78th birthday fueled wild speculations.
Trump threw a grand birthday bash in Florida, charging thousands for the privilege to congratulate him. Several thousand eager well-wishers paid $35 just to enter the Convention Center in West Palm Beach, while those wanting closer access shelled out $60. The venue was quickly filled with attendees who listened to a brief speech, watched red and blue balloons ascend, and marveled at a gaudy giant cake displayed on a golden pedestal. The cake featured patriotic quotes, images, and paraphernalia, including the slogan "Born in the USA on Flag Day," a model of Trump golfing, and a "MAGA" (Make America Great Again)-Marzipan baseball cap at the top.
Trump received countless birthday greetings, many from prominent Republicans and businesspeople. Even his rival and current US President Joe Biden sent an ironic message to counter Trump's attacks on Biden's age: "Best wishes on your 78th birthday, Donald. Age is just a number from one old man to another."
Trump's family also celebrated his birthday with enthusiastic social media messages. "Happy Birthday Dad! I love you today and every day!", Ivanka tweeted, along with a photo of the two strolling through the White House. On Instagram, she shared numerous pictures, including a childhood snapshot of her holding her father's hand. Siblings, children, and grandchildren alike took to social media to lavish their birthday greetings. The eldest children commemorated Trump with glimpses from the family album. "Here's to this warrior", Eric Trump wrote on Instagram.
A Humiliating Silence
However, Melania remained noticeably quiet, leading to rumors that she wanted to divorce Trump. The latest scandal regarding hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels is said to have left Melania feeling publicly humiliated. Daniels revealed explicit details about her affair with Trump in court, allegedly during the same time as Melania was giving birth to their son Barron. Meanwhile, Trump was also reportedly trying to cover up another affair with Playboy model Karen McDougal while Melania was pregnant.
Unlike the rest of the family, Melania stayed away from her husband during the proceedings in New York, a move that may have offered him some support. Trump, on the other hand, publicly praised his wife on her birthday in April. During the proceedings, he expressed his desire to be with her, but Melania remained silent. Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen's inquiry about the affair's impact on his marriage with Melania was likely unsettling for the president, who is reported to have said, "Don't worry. What do you think, how long will I be on the market? Not long."
The Distance Remains
Melania's birthday could have been an opportunity for her to acknowledge her husband after the tumultuous proceedings in New York. However, she continued to keep her distance in public. Stormy Daniels' public appeal to Melania gained widespread attention: "I don't know what they agreed on or not, but Melania must leave him. Not because of what he did with me or other women, but because he is a convicted criminal. It's been proven that he's a sexual offender; he was convicted of sexual assault and is now a criminal."
Despite years of divorce rumors, the Trumps have remained married for almost 20 years. However, cameras have caught them rejecting each other's hand when he tries to grab it. Insider sources in US media do not foresee an immediate divorce.
For Trump, a public condemnation by his wife during the final months of the campaign would be disastrous. Additionally, a divorce could add to his financial woes. According to "Vanity Fair," the Trumps renegotiated their marriage contract in 2023, securing Melania and their son Barron financially.
Stephanie Grisham, a former press secretary and Trump insider, told CNN she didn't believe the divorce rumors. Grisham stated that Melania "knew what she was marrying," and it was unlikely she would ever leave him. In a TV interview with Phil McGraw, Trump directly addressed the rumors, expressing concern for Melania's welfare: "I think she's doing well, but I don't think it's an easy thing for her...And I think, if it wasn't good, she wouldn't tell me about it, to be honest. Because she sees that I'm fighting like the devil."
At the beginning of the interview, Trump referred to Melania as a "wonderful wife" and reiterated, "It's not easy for her to read this fake stuff, it's all fake." He added, "It's certainly not a good thing. And, yes, it affects me more than if it were just about me."
A commonly analysed duo, not typically expected to split, is the Trump couple. Despite their personal relationship ceasing long ago, their professional partnership remains intact. CNN offers their perspective: "Melania is like a coded enigma - her political leanings were never clear - but she's decided to stay married to her husband, despite his questionable morals. Melania, then, is a complex character. She's portrayed as a wronged wife, seemingly reluctant to maintain a silent, complicit forgiveness. Yet, she's also a strong, independent woman, who makes her own choices about her marriage and life. Remarkably, she's chosen to stand by one of the most controversial and dangerous figures to grace American politics, and to back his political pursuits."
Read also:
- Despite the ongoing scandal involving hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, which reportedly left Melania Trump feeling publicly humiliated during the US presidential election 2024 campaign, her husband Donald Trump publicly praised her on her birthday.
- If Melania Trump were to divorce Donald Trump during the final months of the US presidential election 2024 campaign, it could add to his financial woes, as the Trumps renegotiated their marriage contract in 2023, securing Melania and their son Barron financially.
- In contrast to Melania Trump's noticeable silence and absence during Donald Trump's 78th birthday celebration, adult film star Stormy Daniels publicly appealed to Melania to leave Trump, citing his conviction for sexual assault and status as a convicted criminal.
