‘I Believe My Husband’: Old Clip Shows Melania Trump Defending Donald Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Melania Trump also defended the right to abortion later on in pregnancy – a procedure that her husband has repeatedly demonized. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
In 2016, Melania Trump broke her usual silence to address the sexual misconduct allegations swirling around her husband, Donald Trump, during his first presidential bid. Speaking candidly with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Melania stood firmly by her husband, dismissing the claims as politically motivated attacks.
When Cooper asked about the numerous women accusing Trump of inappropriate behavior, some of which allegedly occurred decades prior, Melania didn’t hesitate. “I believe my husband,” she said, claiming the allegations were orchestrated by Trump’s political enemies. “With the details [the media] have got, did they ever check the backgrounds of these women? They didn’t have any facts,” she added.
Melania further defended Trump’s character, stating, “My husband is kind and he is a gentleman and he would never do that.” She emphasized that, throughout their years together, she had never witnessed him behave inappropriately. Instead, she described instances where women approached Trump in front of her, handing him their phone numbers—a situation she admitted made her uncomfortable.
The allegations followed Trump throughout his 2016 campaign, most notably the Access Hollywood videotape scandal. In the 2005 recording, Trump made lewd comments about women, saying he could “grab them by the p***y.” The revelation sparked public outrage and led to a series of other women coming forward with their own accusations.
Reflecting on the tape, Melania acknowledged her disappointment in Trump’s language but defended his nature. “I said to my husband that, you know, the language was inappropriate. It’s not acceptable,” she admitted, before adding, “He’s raw and says things like it is. But I was surprised because that is not the man I know.”
Donald Trump’s reputation for inappropriate behavior toward women dates back to the 1980s when he was a rising New York real estate mogul. Among the earliest accusers was Jessica Leeds, who told The New York Times that Trump groped her on a flight. “He was like an octopus. His hands were everywhere,” Leeds said.
Throughout the years, more women came forward, including Kristin Anderson in the 1990s, who claimed Trump “touched her vagina through [her] underwear,” as reported by The Washington Post. Other names emerged over time, such as E. Jean Carroll, Amy Dorris, and Stormy Daniels, the latter becoming central to Trump’s high-profile hush-money trial.
Despite the mounting allegations, Trump has vehemently denied all claims of misconduct, and Melania’s unwavering support has remained a cornerstone of their public image. As she asserted during the 2016 interview, “He respects women,” echoing her belief that the accusations were nothing more than political smears, per The Guardian.
