A book released on Tuesday reveals tense moments between then-President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
White House correspondent for the New York Times Katie Rogers discusses the modern role first ladies play in presidential administrations in American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden. In the book, she dedicates one chapter to Melania Trump’s time in the White House. Despite Melania Trump’s continued public support of her husband, the book details several disagreements the couple had during their time in the White House, according to those close to the Trumps.
According to the book, the then-president disagreed with Melania Trump’s choice to wear a jacket with “I really don’t care. Do U?” printed on the back to a visit to a border detention center. Rogers said Melania Trump’s fashion choice irritated Donald Trump. Melania Trump and her press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, were called into his office, and Donald Trump yelled at them for the choice to wear the jacket.
Melania Trump also disagreed with the then-president’s handling of public crises. In 2017, after the white supremacist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned into violence, Melania Trump differed her sentiment from her husband’s, who said the protest had “very fine people on both sides.” Melania Trump, in a rare public political statement, denounced the violence.
“Our country encourages freedom of speech, but let’s communicate w/o hate in our hearts. No good comes from violence,” Melania Trump said on then-Twitter.
Rogers also said Melania Trump distanced herself from her husband’s scandals, notably when news broke of his payment to Stormy Daniels to remain silent about a sexual encounter the two had prior to the 2016 election. Following the media attention on the scandal, Melania Trump canceled a trip abroad and flew to Mar-a-Lago without the president. In an interview with Rogers, Melania Trump’s press secretary said the move was intentional and was aimed to “humiliate” her husband a little.
“Grisham, who traveled with her on that jaunt, said that the First Lady had wanted to communicate her anger to the president,” Rogers wrote.
In the book, Rogers said broadcast news created a “house divided”; Melania Trump wanted to watch CNN, while Donald Trump wanted to watch Fox. In a 2018 incident aboard Air Force One, the book said Trump ordered all televisions aboard and televisions in individual hotel rooms upon arrival be tuned in to Fox News.
The Trumps also disagreed on decorations in the White House. While Melania Trump preferred a more modern aesthetic, Donald Trump preferred flashier pieces and replaced the pieces his wife picked for their residence. Despite her decor choices being changed, Melania Trump still tweeted at the time that she was positive about settling into living at the White House.
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“Looking forward to the memories we’ll make in our new home!” Melania Trump posted with an image of a view from inside the White House of the South Lawn.
Rodger’s book has also made headlines for stating that President Joe Biden previously remarked that “good sex” is the key to a happy marriage.
