As Donald Trump fields a shitstorm of self-inflicted injuries–ranging from his four ongoing criminal cases to his latest remarks about abortion that have sent the entire GOP into a tailspin–his campaign is in full-on damage control mode. And they’re looking to Melania for help.
An insider told The New York Post this week that the ex-FLOTUS could be the “secret weapon” Trump needs to appeal to voters in swing states after several polls have now found his unfavorable ratings only seem to be getting worse.
The most recent YouGov survey released this week found 55% of respondents held an negative view of the one-term, twice-impeached, quadruply-indicted ex-president, compared to just 43% who said they held a positive one.
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“The Trump campaign recognizes that Melania is their secret weapon,” the insider said. “Her appeal is critical to win battleground states and undecided voters, especially now that they’ve won the primary and are hyper-focused on the general.”
But we’re not quite sure what “appeal” this person is talking about.
Melania herself holds the record for worst final popularity rating for a first lady since Pat Nixon. She left the White House in January 2021 with a 47% unfavorable rating and, like her husband, remains deeply unpopular to this day. On top of that, she hasn’t made any meaningful efforts to repair her reputation.
Since Trump first announced his latest presidential bid a year and a half ago, she has only attended a small handful of his campaign events and given a total of–checks notes–one interview to Fox News almost a year ago, which she used to plug her latest line of NFTs.
Related:
A wild Melania Trump conspiracy theory is making the rounds again… again
A four-year-old conspiracy theory involving Melania Trump is recirculating on the internet again along with another story about exactly how she spent her time inside the White House.
Last week, it was reported Melania will appear at a Log Cabin Republicans dinner at Mar-a-Lago on April 20. “She is very selective and methodical in what she wants to do and how she presents herself,” a source close to Trump’s camp told CNN.
It’s unclear whether she’s being compensated for the appearance, but we wouldn’t be surprised. CNN reported last summer that she made over $1.2 million in speaking fees the previous year, and that her going rate for a Michelle Obama-penned speech averages around $155,000.
Another campaign insider told The Post this week that, despite all evidence to the contrary, Melania deeply loves her husband and believes he will make an excellent president once again.
“It is a real marriage and Melania is absolutely his biggest supporter… and all in on Trump,” the source said. “They want the public to see that too.”
And GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren added she continues to be a huge draw.
“People will ask me if Melania will be at a fundraiser before they sign up,” she said. “People really like her… she is a huge asset to the campaign and to fundraising.”
Related:
Melania agrees to come out of hiding for a Log Cabin Republicans event (and probably a hefty fee)
The ex-FLOTUS is slated to appear at a Log Cabin Republicans event at Mar-a-Lago later this month.
Speaking of fundraising, the Biden campaign has been outraising the Trump campaign by millions and millions and millions of dollars.
The most recent filings from January showed Biden hitting $155 million in fundraising dollars, compared to Trump’s far less impressive $36 million, although the ex-president has pulled in significantly more money the past couple of weeks.
He reportedly raked in $50 million just last weekend with the help of billionaire John Paulson, who hosted a private fundraiser on Trump’s behalf at his $100 million Palm Beach mansion. Melania attended the event and was said to be “all smiles” as she watched the cash roll in.
“The former first lady, who usually appears quite serious in photographs, seemed to never stop smiling Saturday night and was charming and talkative to all the guests,” an insider told Page Six afterwards. “She’s ready to be first lady again and clearly enjoyed the evening.”
That said, a huge chunk of Trump’s fundraising dollars are being funneled towards his legal bills, which have now exceeded $550 million. So who knows how much of that $50 million will go towards his actual presidential campaign, or how long Melania will stick around before she loses interest and decides to go back to working on her scrapbooks.
abfab
She knows too much. Mind the staircase, sweetie.
bachy
Just kinda wondering…
1. Does Melania have a life insurance policy?
2. For how much?
3. Who is the beneficiary?
Tad
What am I missing here? This woman is an ex nude model and Epstein party girl who hooked up with an American millionaire and mob boss and scammed her way in by lying on her visa app. Then she used a policy her husband is now against to get her parents and sister into the U.S., all of whom were housed by her husband in units he owned. Then she had her anchor baby and was set for life. She is what she always was, nothing less and certainly nothing more. She is by all accounts, like her husband, as soulless and morally ambiguous as any first lady ever to have inhabited the WH. My bet is that she would leave him in a nanosecond if he hadn’t threatened her, to cut off housing for her surviving parent and sister if nothing else. But he’s hardly above threatening her life, too, if necessary.
LifeinShaw
I wish we could “love” comments on here. Everything you said. Yes.
abfab
Love
CornPopBadDude
@Tad
What you’re missing is that she is not running for political office and is largely irrelevant.
Instead of writing snarky, snide ad hominems – focus on what is important.
abfab
Uh oh, the snark patrol is back in full force. Truth v Snark. Educate yourself.
dbmcvey
Cornpop, based on your handle you shouldn’t call out anyone for snark.
abfab
It’s a little bit funny, but when I think of Melly my mond goes directly to our beloved Log Cabin Club Kids.
Get a load of this.
(Washington, DC) Log Cabin Republicans Federal Political Action Committee released its first slate of endorsed candidates for the 2024 election cycle Tuesday morning.
Log Cabin Republicans President Charles Moran released the following statement in relation to the endorsements:
“With recommendations and support from our grassroots members and chapters, our PAC is proud to announce the first wave of endorsed challengers and incumbents for the 2024 election cycle. Not only do our candidates have the tenacity and grit to recapture majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, but they also have the experience to stop President Biden’s disastrous agenda and get our country back on track. While each of our candidates are distinct in their stories, experiences, and skills, they stand united in the desire to expand economic opportunity, protect individual liberty, and prioritize the safety and security of all Americans. These endorsees are candidates that all members of our LCR family can be proud of, and I look forward to welcoming them to Washington in January as members of the 119th Congress.”
Fahd
Recently there were all these pictures all over the internet of her scowling her scowl at his “big” fundraiser. She was pissed about something (within her range that is), but still Tanny Soprano claims it was the biggest fundraiser in the history of fundraising. Is there anyone who isn’t already voting for him who might vote for him? Doubtful. It’s Goldwater all over again.