Melania Trump offers a rare smile in New York after a Facebook post rocked husband’s ‘hush money’ conviction – as it’s revealed the staggering figure Donald raised in one night in America’s most liberal city
Melania Trump has visited perhaps New York’s most exclusive apartment complex, a day after her husband admitted that his “hush money” lawsuit had affected her.
The former first lady left Trump Tower alone Saturday morning and traveled with Secret Service agents to 15 Central Park West in Manhattan.
Melania stayed in the luxury building for about two and a half hours before returning in a motorcade of at least three black SUVs.
The 54-year-old wore a black blouse paired with flared cream trousers and flats, and carried a black Chanel clutch bag.
Melania Trump may have visited New York’s most exclusive apartment complex
The 54-year-old wore a black blouse paired with flared cream pants and flats, and carried a black Chanel clutch bag
Melania beamed under her designer sunglasses as she left the building after her visit and was assisted by officers
Melania beamed beneath her designer sunglasses as she left the building after her visit and was assisted by officers who at one point carried her bag.
Fifteen Central Park West owns some of the most expensive homes in New York City, with the main penthouse selling for $59 million in 2017.
That four-bedroom, five-bathroom ‘jewel in the crown’ has a dramatic 35-foot entry gallery with the living room, library and master bedroom all overlooking Central Park.
Few are available to rent – as Donald Trump’s nemesis Robert De Niro once did – but even the cheapest on the market costs $16,000 a month for a two-bedroom.
The entire building is worth over $1 billion and even includes a wine cellar cost about $80,000 ten years ago.
Celebrities, mega-rich hedge fund managers, models and New York Yankee great Alex Rodriguez have all called the building home.
Melania spent about two and a half hours in the luxury building
The former first lady left Trump Tower alone Saturday morning and traveled with Secret Service agents to 15 Central Park West in Manhattan.
Officers at one point carried her black Chanel handbag
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up “hush money” payments to porn star Stormy Daniels over their extramarital affair to prevent news of it from derailing his election campaign.
But his convictions could be called into question after a Facebook post claimed jurors discussed plans to find him guilty before delivering their verdict.
Judge Juan Merchan sparked speculation of a possible mistrial when he mailed a letter to the prosecution and defense attorneys.
‘My cousin is a juror and says Trump will be convicted [heart emoji] Thank you folks for all your work!!!!’ it reads.
Trump’s convictions appear to have only boosted his fundraising, as a sold-out campaign event in San Francisco raised $12 million on Thursday evening.
Top tickets cost $300 per person and $500 per couple, and VIP tickets cost $50,000 to join the host committee.
Trump hosted another California event on Friday evening, this time in Beverly Hills.
Supporters gathered outside one of the area’s mansions, enthusiastically waving Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by.
He returned the favor by waving back to those he could see from the entrance.
Melania then returned in a motorcade of at least three black SUVs
Melania was barely seen outside Trump Tower during her husband’s trial, as details of his affair with porn star Stormy Daniels were aired in court
The motorcade that takes Melania from Trump Tower to 15 Central Park West on Saturday
Melania was barely seen outside Trump Tower during her husband’s trial as details of his affair with porn star Stormy Daniels were aired in court.
She reportedly didn’t even leave the building for almost two weeks before breaking cover for the first time since May 23 on Tuesday evening.
Trump said in an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw that the trial took a toll on his wife and admitted it also affected his son Barron.
He speculated that each of them probably wanted to talk to him about the difficulties but chose not to.
‘I have a wonderful wife. I mean, it’s not easy for her to read stuff like this, that’s fake. That’s totally fake,” he told the TV host in their hour-long interview from Mar-a-Lago.
Trump hosted another California event on Friday evening, this time in Beverly Hills. Supporters gathered outside one of the area’s mansions, enthusiastically waving Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by
‘But that’s how it is. It’s certainly not a good thing. And it affects me more than if it were just about me. I wish it could just be about me.”
Trump also alluded to the impact the trial and ongoing political and legal battles had on her — revealing it “wasn’t easy.”
It was his first extended interview since a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying financial records related to the hush money payments.
When Dr. Phil asked how the former first lady was holding up, Trump replied, “I think it’s good,” expanding the word during his answer in a way that made the answer less certain.
“But I don’t think it’s easy for her,” he admitted at the time. “And I think if it wasn’t good, she honestly wouldn’t want to tell me about it. Because you know, she sees that I’m really fighting.’
Trump told Dr. Phil McGraw that the trial was taking a toll on his wife and admitted it was also affecting his son Barron.
The former first lady notably did not attend Trump’s five-week trial in Manhattan, instead keeping a low profile in Florida even as a parade of supporters, including family members, House members and senators, gathered joined Trump in the courtroom.
Trump also suggested that public attention is difficult for his son Barron, 18.
As usual, he refused to reveal too much about his youngest child, and his only child with Melania, although he did hint at his college plans.
‘He’s a good boy. He’s a tall boy, very tall. He is very tall. And he’s a great kid. He looks good, boy. And he’s going to college.”
“He’s not saying it because he doesn’t want to hurt me,” Trump said. ‘And he thinks it is a potentially hurtful conversation. But it must affect my family,” he lamented.