Internet divided as reports claim Melania Trump could testify in her husband's hush money trial

WASHINGTON, DC: Former First Lady Melania Trump could help boost her husband Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial, amid speculations of a potential testimony, according to a former prosecutor from Manhattan, reported Newsweek.

Mark Bederow, who served as a prosecutor for the Manhattan district attorney's office, spoke about the impact of a potential testimony from Melania, as speculated by the latest reports.

"There's no question that Melania is the most important family member to be there," the criminal defense attorney told Business Insider.

The criminal trial against the Republican presumptive nominee that kickstarted on April 15 wrapped up the jury selection on day four and is set to begin the opening arguments on Monday, April 22.

Impact of Melania Trump's testimony

According to the attorney, if Melania openly supported her husband, it could be "potentially very powerful" amid the sexual allegations against the ex-president.

"Certainly, if Melania were there supporting him, that potentially sends a message that 'I support him, I'm OK, I believe, perhaps, this didn't happen,' I think that can only have a positive impact on the jury," Bederow said.

The GOP White House hopeful faces a 34 count for paying $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her about their alleged sexual relationship in 2006 that happened months after the former president's youngest son, Barron Trump, was born.

Melania did not accompany her husband during the first week of the historic trial, which made him the first former president to go to trial for a criminal case.

Judge Juan Merchan has listed the former first lady along with the White House hopeful's eldest children, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump, as possible witnesses.

According to legal experts who spoke with Newsweek, Melania would be forced to take a stand to testify against her spouse. However, former federal prosecutor Michael McAuliffe argued that the possibility of prosecution cross-examining her "is extremely low to non-existent" since she was not involved in the allegations.

"In fact, she's the putative victim in the illicit sex part of the story," McAuliffe said.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House aide, argued Melania's testimony could "backfire" against Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney who brought the case against the ex-president.

"I think this will come down to more of a paper trail kind of case, and I think they have the facts there. I think to call her [Melania] would look salacious, would likely backfire too. She's never broken with him on major issues," she said in a recent episode of ABC's 'The View.'

Nevertheless, according to a revelation by Melania's former aide, Stephanie Grisham, the former first lady did not take the sexual affairs allegations against her husband "lightly." The ex-aide further claimed the allegations strained their marital relationship.

Internet reacts to Melania's testimony 

Weighing in on the speculations of Melania testifying in the hush money trial, netizens shared mixed reactions.

One user wrote, "Melania Trump humiliated by Trump who indulged himself in a paid for sexual relationship with a prostitute..will she humiliate herself by defending Trump." While another remarked, "Would be no surprise."

"Like it helped Bill Clinton when his wife stood by him despite all the revelations about his affairs? The Republicans blasted her for standing by a serial cheater," a third user added. Whereas a fourth response read, "Anybody want to bet they claim spousal immunity?"

Someone else claimed, "It's called a 'gold digger' that's what she is and always was.... Melania Trump could give Donald Trump a boost in trial—attorney."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.