Donald Trump publicly recognized his “great family,” naming all his children during his first speech after his arraignment—but made no mention of his wife Melania Trump.
The former US president jetted back home to Mar-a-Lago, where both himself and his wife live, to deliver the speech after facing 34 counts of criminal charges in New York City. The charges he faces revolve around him allegedly paying out hush money to two women, including adult film star Stormy Daniels, during his 2016 campaign trail. The alleged affair and cheating scandal with Daniels happened much earlier, right after Melania gave birth to their son Barron in 2006.
Donald Trump pleaded guilty to all charges, but the revival of a cheating scandal that happened nearly 17 years ago and alleged hush payments are reportedly causing pain for former first lady Melania Trump to relive, as People reports.
Donald Trump Thanks Family—Except Melania Trump—In New Speech
In his televised post-arraignment speech, Trump rambled on about being unfairly prosecuted and pushed to convince his innocence while being surrounded by supporters and family. He spent a portion of his speech thanking his family—but failed to mention any thanks to his wife Melania Trump, and she did not stand by his side nor was spotted at the speech.
His sons Donald Jr and Eric were present, and his youngest daughter Tiffany Trump, with her mom and his second wife, Marla Maples stood by in support. His oldest daughter Ivanka Trump was not present either—she recently told the public she'd be taking a step back from politics and her father's 2024 presidential campaign. Trump’s youngest son Barron was not present either, presumably with Melania, but all his children got a shout-out in his speech.
"I have a son here who's done a great job and I have another son here who's done a great job; and Tiffany, and Ivanka," Trump said to his supporters. "And Barron will be great someday. He's tall and smart. But I have a great family and they've done a fantastic job and we appreciate it very much."
“I have a great family and they have done a fantastic job and we appreciate it very much,” he spoke. “They have gone through hell,” he admitted, considering all the legal trouble and multiple scandals he is facing ahead of his race for the presidency once more.
While Melania Trump did not stand by her husband's side as she usually did for presidential speeches, there was one surprising relative in attendance at the speech: Melania Trump's father, Viktor Knavs.
Melania Trump may have withdrawn her public support of husband Donald Trump during his arraignment this week, but there’s one person who curiously was sitting front and center during the former president’s speech: her dad, Viktor Knavs.
— Yvonne Cousar (@yccousar) April 7, 2023
One viewer on Twitter wrote that Melania's father must not have had "a problem with the fact that" his daughter's husband "allegedly cheated on her more than once and then paid the women for their silence." Yikes.
Melania Trump Reportedly Wants To Keep Distance From Her Husband
According to sources at People, Melania Trump wants to be left alone and out of the spotlight. Melania Trump was reportedly “angry” about her husband’s scandals and affairs surfacing and she “doesn’t want to hear [the alleged hush money payment] mentioned.”
“Melania can be aloof and not particularly friendly because she simply wants to be left alone," the source told People. "At this stage of her life she does not want to be in the spotlight," they said. This might explain Melania’s absence from her husband’s arraignment and public speech.
'Aloof' Melania Trump Is 'Not Comfortable' With Donald's Political Events, Says Source: 'She Simply Wants to Be Left Alone' Melania Trump was not present at Donald Trump's arraignment nor his post-arrest Mar-a-Lago speech. pic.twitter.com/8CVpuo0UAg
— Soulwell Publishing Group® (@SoulwellPublish) April 11, 2023
The Mirror reported that the couple may even be headed for divorce. Insiders said the couple's “paths barely cross." The source told the tabloid, “Melania is no different from any woman. Having her husband accused of cheating on her not just once but twice is extremely disturbing."
According to the source at People, Melania is focused on her family and her 17-year-old son, Barron. Perhaps Melania was taking care of Barron as her husband’s speech unfolded—though surely Barron could have been present as he has in the past. Still, Barron is a child, and it’s possible Melania does not want her son exposed to the drama.
