In the world of politics and celebrity, few moments have shocked the public as much as the release of Donald Trump’s infamous Access Hollywood tape in 2016. While the tape, in which Trump made crude remarks about women, sent shockwaves through the media and sparked widespread outrage, one person who appeared unfazed was none other than his wife, Melania Trump. According to former close friend and advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the then-First Lady’s reaction was far from what many expected.
The Book That Spilled the Tea
In her tell-all memoir, Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady, Wolkoff offers a rare glimpse into the private life of Melania Trump and her relationship with her controversial husband. The book, which quickly became a topic of heated discussion, reveals that the former First Lady was shockingly calm in the face of her husband’s scandalous comments.
Wolkoff, who was once one of Melania’s closest confidantes, recounts that she expected to find Melania devastated after the tape went public. Instead, she was met with a “radiant” and “smiling” Melania, who seemed completely unfazed by the offensive remarks. “It was as if nothing happened,” Wolkoff told ABC News, describing the surreal encounter.
A Laugh in the Face of Scandal
In one of the most eyebrow-raising moments of the book, Wolkoff recalls the conversation she had with Melania right after the tape’s release. When she asked Melania how many times she had heard the words “p***y” and “president” in the same sentence, the two women reportedly burst out laughing.
This response might seem shocking to many, given the gravity of the situation. But according to Wolkoff, Melania’s reaction was a testament to her pragmatic nature. When Wolkoff pressed further, asking if Melania was upset or angry, the First Lady’s response was calm and detached: “If you can’t control people’s emotions, then why even worry about it.”
Melania: A Pragmatist Who Knew What She Signed Up For
Wolkoff’s account paints Melania as someone who is not easily rattled and who has a firm understanding of the man she married. “She knows who she married [and] what she was getting into, and so did he,” Wolkoff explained. Melania’s ability to brush off the scandal with such ease suggests a level of confidence and self-assuredness that, according to Wolkoff, she exudes in all aspects of her life.
The Tape That Rocked a Campaign
For those who need a refresher, the Access Hollywood tape was recorded in 2005 and released by The Washington Post in October 2016, just weeks before the presidential election. In the tape, Trump is heard bragging to then-host Billy Bush about his ability to kiss and grope women without their consent because of his celebrity status. “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” Trump infamously said, adding, “Grab them by the p****. You can do anything.”
The release of the tape ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many calling for Trump to withdraw from the presidential race. In response, Trump issued a statement on social media, apologizing for his remarks and insisting that “these words don’t reflect who I am.” He pledged to be “a better man tomorrow,” but the damage to his reputation was already done.
Wolkoff’s Warning: A Presidency Built on Deception
In Melania and Me, Wolkoff doesn’t just shed light on Melania’s reaction to the scandal—she also offers a scathing critique of the Trump presidency as a whole. Describing the administration as rife with “deceit [and] deception,” Wolkoff warns readers about the dangers of the propaganda machine that she believes was behind Trump’s rise to power.
It was amateur hour then, and it’s amateur hour now, and I think it’s really frightening for our country,” Wolkoff writes, pulling no punches in her assessment of the former president and his team. Her book serves as both a personal account of her time in the White House and a cautionary tale about the state of American politics.
FAQs
What did Melania Trump think about the Access Hollywood tape? According to Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania Trump was unfazed by the tape. Despite the public backlash, Melania remained calm and even laughed about the situation with Wolkoff, showing little concern over the controversy.
What was the Access Hollywood tape? The Access Hollywood tape was a recording from 2005 that surfaced in 2016, in which Donald Trump made crude remarks about women, boasting that his celebrity status allowed him to kiss and grope women without their consent.
How did Donald Trump respond to the tape’s release? Donald Trump issued an apology on social media, stating that the comments did not reflect who he is and pledging to be a better man. However, the tape significantly damaged his reputation.
Who is Stephanie Winston Wolkoff? Stephanie Winston Wolkoff was a close friend and advisor to Melania Trump. She later wrote the book Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady, in which she details her experiences with Melania and the Trump administration.
What else did Wolkoff reveal in her book? In addition to Melania’s reaction to the Access Hollywood tape, Wolkoff criticizes the Trump administration, describing it as being built on “deceit [and] deception” and warning about the dangers of the propaganda surrounding Trump.
What is Wolkoff’s overall view of Melania Trump? Wolkoff describes Melania as a pragmatic and confident woman who was fully aware of who she married and what she was getting into. Despite the scandals, Melania remained composed and focused on maintaining her public image.
