Former President Donald Trump faced backlash for complaining that his criminal trial was keeping him away from his wife Melania on her birthday. Trump appeared in court in New York City for his hush-money trial, where he pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records. Melania, who turned 54 on the day of the trial, remained in Florida. Trump lamented the trial for keeping him away from her birthday celebrations, saying he would fly back to Florida after court.
Social media commentary pointed out that the charges against Trump are related to a cover-up of alleged extramarital affairs with adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal during Melania’s pregnancy with their son, Barron. Critics criticized Trump’s remarks about missing Melania’s birthday, highlighting the scandalous details of his affairs. Speculation about the state of Melania’s relationship with Trump has grown, given her absence from both the courtroom and the campaign trail.
Prosecutors in the trial have been prohibited from mentioning that the alleged affairs took place during Melania’s pregnancy. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, the trial’s first witness, denied that Trump ever expressed concern for how Melania would view his affairs. The trial has brought attention to Trump’s previous hush-money payments facilitated by his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohen claimed that Melania would be “excited” by the possibility of Trump missing their son Barron’s high school graduation due to the trial.
Comments on social media criticized Trump for wishing Melania a happy birthday while facing trial for his affairs with a porn star and Playboy model. Critics highlighted the irony of Trump’s complaints about missing Melania’s birthday given the scandalous nature of the charges against him. The backlash on social media demonstrated a widespread disapproval of Trump’s attempt to garner sympathy for missing Melania’s birthday.
Despite Trump’s complaints about missing Melania’s birthday due to the trial, commentators pointed out the hypocrisy of his situation. Trump’s involvement in the hush-money trial, related to allegations of extramarital affairs, was highlighted as the reason for his absence on Melania’s birthday. The ongoing trial has raised questions about the state of Trump’s marriage to Melania as speculation grows over her conspicuous absence from significant events surrounding the former president.
