Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, once a senior aide to Melania Trump, recently made strong claims about the nature of the relationship between Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Wolkoff, with her past closeness to the former First Lady, presents a portrayal of a marriage that was more business-like than affectionate.
Wolkoff’s assertions, which came to light on X on Sunday, June 16, are based on an old video from the sixth season premiere of “The Apprentice,” which showed Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and their son Barron. In the video, Melania is shown as a caring mother, with Trump as the devoted father. Wolkoff argues that this image was meticulously constructed to present a specific public persona, concealing the reality of their relationship.
As per Wolkoff, Donald Trump required a partner who would let him be the focus, and their marriage served to authenticate both of them. For Melania, it meant realizing her dream of being on the cover of Vogue, while for Donald, it aided him in discarding his playboy image and becoming a more respectable public figure. This claim is supported by Ramin Setoodeh’s book, “Apprentice in Wonderland,” which explores Trump’s reality TV years. The book contains a confession from Trump himself, admitting that his journey to the White House would have been impossible without “The Apprentice.”
Wolkoff’s allegations go beyond the Trumps’ marriage, highlighting the critical role “The Apprentice” played in their political rise. She used social media to express her belief that the show, developed by Survivor producer Mark Burnett and NBC executive Jeff Zucker, was pivotal in shaping the image of Donald Trump as a successful businessman and Melania as his model wife. Wolkoff contends that this carefully crafted illusion was a key element in their political ascension.
The response to Wolkoff’s claims on social media has been mixed but significant. Some users have supported her views, suggesting that without “The Apprentice,” Donald Trump would have remained largely unrecognized to most of the country. Others have noted that the show helped to mask Trump’s financial difficulties and alleged fraudulent actions, presenting a facade of success to the public.
Wolkoff’s critique also includes Melania’s absence from Donald Trump’s recent hush money trial. Despite arguments from Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, that Melania’s absence should not be seen as a lack of affection and support, Wolkoff strongly opposes this view. She maintains that true affection and support involve standing by someone without hesitation, regardless of the views or perceptions of others. To her, Melania’s choice to skip the trial due to image concerns indicates a lack of genuine caring.
This absence has added to speculation about the authenticity of the Trumps’ marriage. Wolkoff has been outspoken about her belief that their relationship was primarily transactional, with both parties reaping substantial benefits from the marriage. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, she expanded on this point, suggesting that Melania realized her long-standing dream of becoming a Vogue cover model, while Trump gained a more respectable public persona. “I think people have to remember who Melania really is,” Wolkoff told Tapper while discussing Donald Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in New York.
Wolkoff’s comments have reignited discussions about the authenticity of high-profile relationships and the influence of media portrayals on public perception. The old video from “The Apprentice” and Wolkoff’s commentary provide insight into the intricacies of the Trump marriage, suggesting that what was shown to the public may have been meticulously designed for maximum impact.
Wolkoff, who earlier wrote a tell-all book called “Melania and Me” in 2020, has continued her criticism of the Trump family following her falling out with the former First Lady. Their relationship deteriorated after it was revealed that Wolkoff’s event planning company had received $26 million for coordinating Trump’s inauguration, of which $1.62 million was reportedly retained by Wolkoff’s firm.
