Court Battles

Ex-Trump aide on Melania watching hush money trial: ‘I’m sure she’s not happy about it’

Stephanie Grisham, then-spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, watches as President Trump and the first lady greet attendees during the annual Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn, June 21, 2019, in Washington.

Stephanie Grisham, the former press secretary for former President Trump, said former first lady Melania Trump is watching her husband’s hush money trial and is sure she’s not happy with the new details coming to light.

While Trump sat in a Manhattan courtroom this week, he complained about being away from Melania on her birthday. The trial is over Trump allegedly falsifying documents to cover up a payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair.

Jurors heard from former magazine executive David Pecker, who revealed more information about Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also claims she had an affair with Trump. The former president has denied both alleged affairs.

“The fact that [Trump] asked about her in the White House, the fact that some… White House staff got on the phone with David Pecker to talk about keeping this secret even further. Those were new details to me and so I know they were new details to [Melania] and I’m sure she’s not happy about it,” Grisham, who had also served as Melania Trump’s chief of staff, told CNN’s Erin Burnett.

“Now, make no mistake, she’s not sitting at home, you know, crying over this, but you know, like any…married woman or woman in a relationship, it’s not fun to hear these details,” she continued.

Those close to Melania say she is unlikely to play a large role in her husband’s reelection campaign. Sources say it’s a real loss because “first ladies are typically helpful on the campaign trail” with women voters and undecided voters, but the campaign knows she’s private person who dislikes campaigning.