In the ongoing criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York City, a surprising detail emerged from Michael Cohen, Trump’s ex-attorney and “fixer,” involving the former president’s spouse, Melania Trump.
Cohen testified that Melania was the architect of the “locker room talk” defense in response to the leaked Access Hollywood tape, where Trump was recorded making controversial lewd comments about women.
Cohen’s testimony came as he stood witness in court, reflecting on a critical moment of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Jurors were shown email exchanges between Cohen and then-campaign manager Steve Bannon, with Cohen expressing urgent concerns about managing the narrative surrounding the leaked tape.
The former lawyer recounted his discussion with Trump during a family vacation in London, where Trump instructed Cohen to leverage all his media contacts. “We needed to put a perspective on this… that this is locker room talk, something that Melania had recommended—that’s what Melania thought it was—and use that in order to gain control over the story,” Cohen testified, emphasizing that the strategy aimed to minimize the tape’s negative impact on Trump’s campaign.
Despite Melania Trump’s absence from her husband’s trial and her silence on the allegations presented by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, her indirect influence on the proceedings has been underscored. The evidence, according to prosecutors, suggests that Trump may have cheated on his wife multiple times, subsequently attempting to conceal these incidents to protect his campaign.
Earlier testimony in the trial touched upon Melania’s role, with a White House aide suggesting that the former model exerted more influence over Trump’s decisions than was publicly acknowledged.
The trial took another turn involving Melania shortly after a lunch break. Prosecutors questioned Cohen about the breakdown of a confidentiality agreement with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. As Cohen scrambled to inform Trump about the unraveling deal, it was Melania who facilitated the communication between the two men. “Good morning Michael, can u pls call DT on his cell. Thanks,” read a text from Melania to Cohen dated October 18, 2016, ensuring that Cohen could relay the situation directly to Trump.
The trial continues to unravel the intricate web of Trump’s personal and political life, with Melania Trump’s behind-the-scenes influence becoming a focal point. As more details emerge, the court and the public are given a deeper insight into the strategies employed by Trump and his inner circle during pivotal moments of his 2016 campaign.
