Through scandal and silence, the First Lady of the U.S. stands by her husband. While the world questions her loyalty, those who know her best say one thing is clear.
Amid years of political firestorms, personal betrayals, and the unforgiving glare of the spotlight, Melania Trump has remained a quiet, inscrutable presence at the side of her 79-year-old husband, President Donald Trump.
Melania and Donald Trump attend the Military Mothers event at the White House on May 8, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Her icy silence and unwavering stillness have fueled endless speculation, but to those who truly know the 55-year-old former model, her decision to stay was never a mystery.
President Trump and First Lady Melania attend “Les Misérables” opening in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
A Longtime Friend Shares What She Saw
In 2003, while working at Vogue, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff — author, former adviser, and close friend — met Melania, who was then a model dating Donald Trump. The two developed a close friendship. “We shared a lot over 15 years,” Stephanie said in a 2020 interview with ABC News.
Pamela Gross Finkelstein, Judith Giuliani, Melania Trump, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff attends a fashion luncheon in New York City, May 9, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
Following Donald’s 2016 election victory, Stephanie was brought in to help plan the inauguration and later served as an unpaid adviser to the First Lady. From that position, she observed Melania’s private world up close, both during the transition and in the early days of the administration.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff poses for photos at Trump Tower in New York City on December 5, 2016 | Source: Getty ImagesThat insider view became especially revealing during a pivotal moment in the campaign, when news outlets released the “Access Hollywood” tape, capturing Donald making lewd and offensive comments about women. The backlash was swift and intense, and many speculated about how Melania would respond.
Stephanie recalled meeting Melania for lunch that day, expecting someone distraught. “She was radiant, she was smiling,” she recalled. “It was as if nothing happened.”
Trying to break the tension, Stephanie cracked a joke: “I said to her, ‘How many times have you heard the words ‘p—-‘ and ‘president’ in the same sentence?’ And we burst out laughing.” Stephanie added, “She knows who she married… She knew what she was getting into, and so did he.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the UN General Assembly in New York City on September 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Despite later feeling betrayed by Melania, Stephanie spoke admiringly of the First Lady’s ability to maintain control, describing her as someone whose quiet confidence was constant and even reassuring to those around her.
Melania Trump attends the State Banquet at Windsor Castle in England on September 17, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In May 2024, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham offered a rare glimpse into Melania’s thinking, and why she’s staying put.
Speaking to CNN, the ex-press secretary acknowledged that the media coverage around Donald’s personal scandals could be humiliating for Melania, but that doesn’t mean she’s planning to leave.
Stephanie Grisham walks to Marine One on the White House South Lawn on March 8, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Still, she made it clear: Melania is staying. “But yeah, she knew who she married,” the former aide added.”She’s happy, she’s got a very good life. She’s not going anywhere; that’s been proven.”
