Melania Trump splashes '$64,600 of taxpayer's money on break to Mar-A-Lago which included spa trip'
Aides to the First Lady say that she is focusing on her role and her family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Melania Trump has reportedly splashed $64,000 (£45,000) of taxpayer's money on a short trip to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The First Lady is said to be “furious” about revelations over an alleged sex scandal involving adult actor Stormy Daniels and her husband. Both Mr Trump and Ms Daniels have denied allegations of an affair.
Two people close to the couple told the New York Times the 47-year-old Mrs Trump was “blindsided” by the reports and is “furious” with her husband.
The president’s third wife is believed to have taken a trip to the the spa at the first couple’s resort in Palm Beach.
The members-only Trump Spa, which is described as “a tranquil haven offering an ideal relief from the everyday” on its website, has pampering facilities like pedicure rooms and makeup and hair stations that are surrounded by marble.
The trip from Joint Base Andrews to Palm Beach International Airport which takes around two hours cost $16,168 per hour, which means the former model’s quick excursion aboard a C-32A plane cost taxpayers around $64,600, according to Department of Defence figures.
Ms Trump has kept a low profile after reports surfaced earlier this month that her husband's personal lawyer Michael Cohen reportedly made a $130,000 (£93,000) payment to adult actor Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election, allegedly to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Mr Trump in 2006.
The alleged incident supposedly took place four months after Ms Trump would have given birth to the couple's only son, Barron. The White House and Mr Cohen have denied the allegation of an affair, and Mr Cohen has denied money being paid for her silence.
After the story broke Ms Trump accompanied the president to his Mar-a-Lago golf resort in Florida but she did not attend two dinners he hosted - one with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Ms Trump also made a last minute decision not to join her husband at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Her spokesperson Stephanie Grisham said “scheduling and logistical issues” had forced her to change her plans but did not say what those issues were.
She made an announced visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum instead where she took part in a moment of silence to pay respect to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.
Ms Grisham also shared an angry statement on behalf of the First Lady on Twitter on Friday.
“The laundry list of salacious and flat-out false reporting about Mrs Trump by tabloid publications & TV shows has seeped into ‘mainstream media’ reporting,” she said. “She is focused on her family and role as FLOTUS – not the unrealistic scenarios being peddled daily by the fake news”.
Ms Trump attended her husband’s State of Union address on Tuesday night but broke precedent by arriving at the event separately from the president. The First Lady chose to ride with the guests she invited to share her first lady's box during Mr Trump's address.
Wearing a striking all-white pantsuit by Christian Dior with a white silk Dolce & Gabbana blouse and Christian Louboutin pumps, Ms Trump looked similar to the female Democratic congressional members who protested Mr Trump's policies by wearing white, the colour of suffragettes, at his address to the Joint Session of Congress last year.
But Ms Trump stood out in a swathe of black as legislators opted to wear all black to this year’s event in support of the “Me Too” movement against sexual harassment and assault.
“I'm wearing black to the [State of the Union] because it is time we all say #TimesUP on sexual harassment & inequality in the workplace – for all industries – from the restaurant kitchen, to Hollywood, to the halls of Congress,” Representative Carolyn Maloney tweeted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments