Melania Trump says she was 'blindsided' and 'heartbroken' by family separation policy
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Melania Trump has said that she was “blindsided” by the zero-tolerance immigration policy signed off by President Donald Trump that has led to the separation of immigrant families at the US border.
The first lady said that she was “heartbroken” by the removal of children from their parents and it us that that prompted an unannounced visit to the southern border earlier this year.
“I saw it on the news, and I reacted right away,” Ms Trump said in an interview for ABC News’ special Being Melania. “It was unacceptable for me to see children and parents separated. It was heartbreaking. And I reacted with my own voice.”
She made it clear to Mr Trump that the policy needed to change. ”I didn’t know that that policy would come out. I was blindsided by it. I told him at home, and I said to him that I feel that’s unacceptable, and he felt the same.“
It was on the border visit that Ms Trump was criticised for wearing a jacket with the words “I really don’t care, do u?” on the back. The first lady said that the jacket was aimed at the left-wing media who criticise her.
“It was kind of a message, yes. I would prefer that they focus on what I do and my initiatives than what I wear,” she said. “I want to show them that I don’t care. You could criticise whatever you want to say, but it will not stop me to do what I feel is right.”
Melania Trump on #MeToo movement: 'we need to have really hard evidence'
Ms Trump has also faced criticism over her anti-cyber bullying initiative, given the tone of Mr Trump’s Twitter feed. Pressed on the issue, the first lady said: “I could say that I’m the most bullied person in the world”.
The first lady said that the relationship between her and husband Donald Trump is “fine” and that she has “much more important things to think about” than allegations he cheated on her.
Ms Trump said she is “a mother and a first lady” and that allegations of her husband’s infidelities are not a “concern and focus.” Asked if she loves her husband, she says, “Yes, we are fine. Yes.”
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Adult actor Stormy Daniels has alleged that she had sex with President Trump in 2006. Mr Trump has denied the allegation but has has acknowledged reimbursing his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a hush money payment made to her before the 2016 election.
Speaking about the wider #MeToo movement, given the fact her husband has been accused of sexual misconduct by the a number of women, the first lady said she supports both women and men but that they must present “really hard evidence”. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied all allegations against him.
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Ms Trump said that she was a “strong” woman who enjoys life in Washington DC – and it was a misconception to thing otherwise. However, she said that there have been, and still are, a number of people in the White House she does not trust.
“It’s harder to govern,” the first lady said, adding that she tells her husband her “honest opinions” – including about those who she does not trust. “You always need to watch your back,” she said.
To see how the day and interview unfolded see our live coverage below.
Here’s video of Melania Trump brushing aside her husband’s allegations of affairs during their marriage, telling ABC News she has “much more important things to think about and to do.”
Melania Trump defended her husband’s actions as president during the new interview, telling ABC News, “I believe that my husband is doing an incredible job for this nation.”
The first lady also brushed aside allegations of his affairs and said she would support him if he chose to run again in 2020 (the president has already launched his re-election campaign).
“In #Kenya visiting children at The Nest Children’s Home impacted me greatly, & I so enjoyed the cultural performance at Kenya National Theatre,” Melania Trump wrote on Twitter from her trip to Africa, thanking the first lady of Kenya and the US Embassy “for making me feel so welcome.”
The tweet arrived a day before her interview from Africa was set to air on ABC News.
Melania Trump's comments surrounding the #MeToo movement have sparked controversy, with numerous analysts questioning her support for women as she told ABC News survivors of sexual assault need "really hard evidence" in order to be believed.
Melania Trump said she has been enjoying her time living in Washington as first lady and would support her husband in a re-election bid for the White House, telling ABC News, “I believe that my husband is doing an incredible job for this nation and I want the American people to have success.”
“Whatever he will decide I will support him,” she said. “I’m enjoying it. I really love to live in Washington and in the White House. Yes, I’m enjoying it.”
The first lady’s Twitter handle posted this video of Melania Trump touring Egypt, featuring slow motion shots of her walking near pyramids and meeting with local officials.
A new poll showed Melania Trump’s favourability has ticked upwards ahead of an ABC News special titled “Being Melania: The First Lady.”
Her rating currently stands at 54 per cent according to the CNN survey, and has consistently measured well above her husband’s rating since the two ascended to the White House.
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