Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former confidante of Melania Trump, has recently made bold assertions about the nature of the marriage between Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Wolkoff’s claims, rooted in her past proximity to the former First Lady, paint a picture of a union that was more transactional than romantic.
Wolkoff’s allegations, posted on X on Sunday, June 16, stem from a throwback video from the sixth season premiere of “The Apprentice,” which featured Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and their son Barron. In the clip, Melania is portrayed as a loving mother, while Trump takes on the role of a doting father. Wolkoff believes this portrayal was carefully crafted to project a specific public image, one that masked the true nature of their relationship.
According to Wolkoff, Donald Trump needed a partner who would allow him to take center stage, and their marriage served to legitimize both of them. For Melania, it meant achieving her dream of gracing the cover of Vogue, while for Donald, it helped him shed his playboy image and become a more respectable figure in the public eye. This assertion is corroborated by Ramin Setoodeh’s book, “Apprentice in Wonderland,” which delves into Trump’s years as a reality TV star. The book includes an admission from Trump himself, acknowledging that his path to the White House would have been impossible without “The Apprentice.”
Wolkoff’s claims extend beyond the nature of the Trumps’ marriage, as she also highlights the crucial role “The Apprentice” played in propelling the couple to the White House. She took to social media to express her belief that the show, created by Survivor producer Mark Burnett and NBC boss Jeff Zucker, was instrumental in crafting the image of Donald Trump as a successful businessman and Melania as his supermodel wife. Wolkoff argues that this carefully constructed mirage was a key factor in their political rise.
The reaction to Wolkoff’s claims on social media has been varied but poignant. Some users have echoed her sentiments, suggesting that without “The Apprentice,” Donald Trump would have remained largely unknown to the majority of the country. Others have pointed out that the show helped to obscure Trump’s financial struggles and alleged fraudulent activities, presenting an illusion of success to the public.
Wolkoff’s criticism extends to Melania’s absence from Donald Trump’s recent hush money trial. Despite arguments from Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, that Melania’s absence should not be interpreted as a lack of love and support, Wolkoff strongly disagrees. She believes that true love and support involve standing by someone without hesitation, regardless of others’ opinions or perceptions. In her view, Melania’s decision to avoid the trial due to concerns about appearances indicates a lack of genuine care.
This absence has further fueled speculation about the authenticity of the Trumps’ marriage. Wolkoff has been vocal about her belief that their relationship was fundamentally transactional, with both parties gaining significant benefits from the union. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, she elaborated on this point, suggesting that Melania achieved her long-held dream of becoming a Vogue cover model, while Trump benefited from a more respectable public image. “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 statements have reignited discussions about the authenticity of high-profile relationships and the impact of media portrayals on public perception. The throwback video from “The Apprentice” and Wolkoff’s commentary offer a glimpse into the complexities behind the Trump marriage, implying that what was presented to the public may have been carefully crafted for maximum effect.
Wolkoff, who previously wrote a tell-all book titled “Melania and Me” in 2020, has remained a critic of the Trump family since her fallout with the former First Lady. The relationship between the two soured after news broke that Wolkoff’s event planning company had received $26 million to help coordinate Trump’s inauguration, with $1.62 million reportedly kept by Wolkoff’s firm.