Melania Trump slams claim she is with Donald for money despite 24-year age gap in resurfaced clip
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As Melania Trump has returned to the White House as the first lady, an old clip of hers has resurfaced where she is denying that she is in a relationship with Donald Trump only for money.
Notably, the footage is from a 1999 ABC News interview, when Melania was just 26 years old. It shows correspondent Don Dahler questioning the then-model about her romance with Trump, who was 53 back then, according to Daily Mail.
Resurfaced clip shows Melania denying claims she is with Trump for money
Melania, who went by the name Melania Knauss at the time, refused to answer whether or not she would say "yes" to a marriage proposal from Donald Trump and was asked if she felt 'hurt' by suggestions that she was only with him for his money.
Melania replied, "You know, the people, they don't know me. People who talk like this, they don't know me."
Dahler then said, "Well, you don't see many 26-year-old supermodels on the arm of a 53-year-old car mechanics" and the current First Lady fired back, "You know what, you can't sleep or to hug or to talk with beautiful things, with beautiful apartment, beautiful plane, beautiful cars, beautiful houses, you can't do that. You could feel very empty."
She added, "And if somebody said, 'you're with the man because he's rich and famous', they don't know me."
Earlier during the same interview, the host asked Melania if she would consider signing a pre-nuptial agreement if they were to get engaged and married.
Melania, who had a grin on her face, answered, "Everybody has different opinions, so let's see what happens."
The host asked, "Different opinions about?" and Melania elaborated, "About the pre-nuptial agreement, about signing it or not to sign it, everybody decided what is inside of them."
The host further asked, "So you're not ruling out anything?" and she replied, "No".
Dahler also questioned Melania on whether or not she could picture herself as the first lady of the United States. She said, "Yes, I would be very traditional like Jackie Kennedy. I will support him, I will do a lot of social obligations."
The host further asked, "If you did become first lady, it probably wouldn't be ethical for you to give commercial endorsements to products, so your modeling career might be over at that moment. What would you think about that?"
Melania said that she would stand by her man. Dahler then asked her if she would be willing to give up her modeling career and she simply replied with a "yes".
Melania Trump says she’s ready with plans for White House
Melania Trump recently opened up about her comprehensive plans for her second tenure as first lady in an exclusive interview with Ainsley Earhardt on 'Fox & Friends'.
After a quieter first term, Melania plans to take on a much more active and visible role in her second term.
Melania emphasized her preparedness for the new chapter and said, "I know where I will be going. I know the rooms where we will be living. I know the process."
She also discussed her son Barron and described her parenting philosophy, allowing him independence while continuing to offer guidance, per the outlet.
She said, "He will come and visit, yes. I feel that children, we guide them and then give them wings to fly."
Moreover, Melania's signature 'Be Best' campaign, which focuses on children’s well-being, social media awareness, and mental health, will also see significant expansion.
The first lady said, "I will continue with Be Best and also I will expand Be Best."
She reflected on her first term and noted limited support from media and businesses. However, she expressed optimism for greater collaboration this time.
She said, "Imagine what we could do if they rallied behind me."
