President Trump’s marriage has been under a media microscope lately, after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's personal lawyer brokered a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in October 2016 to prohibit Daniels from publicly discussing an alleged affair. After the report came out, Melania Trump’s office announced she would not be accompanying the president to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Instead, on Thursday, the first lady visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, then headed to Joint Base Andrews to board a plane headed for Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Palm Beach resort, according to a New York Times article published yesterday. She reportedly visited the spa, then quickly left on Friday, right before a fundraiser was to be held there.
Naturally, last-minute airfare isn’t cheap, especially when you’re flying private with a Secret Service escort, which is a requirement when you’re the first lady. The New York Times calculated how much that would cost using government data:
Melania’s spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, slammed media reports about Melania’s so-called discontent in her marriage, though she didn’t specify which reports were false. “The laundry list of salacious & flat-out false reporting about Mrs. Trump by tabloid publications & TV shows has seeped into 'main stream media' reporting,” Grisham tweeted on January 26. “She is focused on her family & role as FLOTUS—not the unrealistic scenarios being peddled daily by the fake news.”
The first lady will attend Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, and will be joined by a group of guests, including members of the armed forces. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has scheduled an appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the president's State of the Union address tonight.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
Prince Louis Turns 6—See the Adorable New PhotoPrincess Kate was behind the lens.
-
Luke Bryan Trips Over a Fan's Phone During a Show, Jokes "My Lawyer Will Be Calling"He thought it was hilarious.
-
Melissa McCarthy Defends Meghan Markle From Critics Who Are "Threatened" by HerMcCarthy once starred in the duchess' 40th birthday video.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to MenIt's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If ReelectedKathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So CriticalAs we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun SafetyThe Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to KnowThe case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
