Former President Donald Trump is often in the headlines, whether for his political campaign or speculation about his wife, Melania Trump, staying out of the public eye. Melania’s noticeable absence from Donald’s campaign rallies has fueled rumors of tension between the two.
Meanwhile, Kari Lake, the Arizona politician who echoed Trump’s claims of election rigging in her own race for governor, has reportedly spent significant time at Mar-a-Lago, adding to the speculation about Melania’s discomfort.
On The Daily Beast podcast The New Abnormal, reporter Zach Petrizzo referenced a People Magazine article titled, “Kari Lake Appears at Mar-a-Lago More than Melania Trump and ‘Practically Lives’ In A Suite.” According to Petrizzo, such headlines reportedly irritate Melania.
He explained, “Trump, of course, has printed out story after story… typically many of these types of stories will go to the waste bin. But stories about Melania Trump really get scrutinized because he has to see her.”
Petrizzo also noted that while Donald and Melania frequently have dinners together, Melania and her team are well aware of the rumors, and this particular headline didn’t sit well with her. At a recent rally in Tucson, Arizona, Trump introduced a new nickname for Lake, praising her toughness on border issues.
“She’s tough on the border, so if you don’t mind I’m going to call her Border Kari Lake,” Trump said. He continued to laud Lake, saying, “She’s a fantastic person… I was one of the early people that endorsed her, and I’ll tell you she is tough, tough, tough on the border.”
As reported by Newsweek, Trump repeatedly used the nickname throughout his speech, saying, “Border Kari Lake, thank you… I’m giving her a take, you know when I give people takes it stays. But that’s a good one, she’s going to be great.” Lake is currently eyeing the Arizona Senate seat held by Kyrsten Sinema.
Rumors about Lake’s closeness with Trump have been circulating since last year, but Lake’s senior adviser dismissed such claims as absurd. The statement clarified that Lake often speaks at events nationwide in support of America First candidates, and when invited to Mar-a-Lago, she stays at nearby Hilton properties with her husband of 25 years. Her visits to Mar-a-Lago came months after Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid, with insiders suggesting Lake might be angling for a vice-presidential role.