In the ongoing criminal trial of ex-President Donald Trump in New York City, an unexpected revelation has surfaced via Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer. The information involves the ex-president’s wife, Melania Trump.

According to Cohen’s testimony on Monday, May 13, Melania Trump was instrumental in formulating the “locker room talk” defense in response to the released Access Hollywood tape. The tape had recorded Trump making questionable lewd remarks about women.

Cohen’s statements were given as he served as a witness in the court case, reflecting on a significant occurrence during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. The court was presented with email exchanges between Cohen and then-campaign manager Steve Bannon, in which Cohen articulated urgent apprehensions about managing the story around the leaked tape.

Cohen recollected a conversation with Trump during a family holiday in London. Trump had asked Cohen to utilize all his media connections. “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. This highlighted that the strategy was designed to lessen the damaging effect the tape could have on Trump’s campaign.

While Melania Trump has been absent from her husband’s trial and has not commented on the accusations presented by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, her indirect influence on the proceedings is notable. According to the prosecution, the evidence suggests that Trump may have been unfaithful to his wife several times, making efforts to hide these instances to safeguard his campaign.

Testimony earlier in the trial touched on Melania’s role, with a White House aide indicating that the ex-model had more sway over Trump’s decisions than what was publicly recognized.

The trial took a fresh turn involving Melania just after a lunch interval. Prosecutors interrogated Cohen about the collapse of a confidentiality agreement with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. As Cohen hurried to inform Trump about the falling apart deal, it was Melania who enabled the communication between the two men. “Good morning Michael, can u pls call DT on his cell. Thanks,” stated a text from Melania to Cohen dated October 18, 2016, ensuring that Cohen could report the situation directly to Trump.

As the trial progresses, the complex connections of Trump’s personal and political life continue to unfold, with Melania Trump’s behind-the-scenes influence becoming a central issue. As more facts come to light, the court and the public gain a deeper understanding of the tactics used by Trump and his close circle during crucial phases of his 2016 campaign.