MIAMI, FLORIDA: Donald Trump's wife Melania allegedly threatened to make changes to their prenup after a Manhattan, New York, jury ordered the former president to pay $5M to E Jean Carroll for defamation and battery over an alleged 1996 sexual assault. Insiders now claimed that Trump caved into her demands for the sake of his 2024 White House run and to avoid a billion-dollar divorce.
Trump, 76, notably branded Carroll a liar when she went public with her allegations, but the court ordered him to pay his accuser. Sources alleged that his Melania threatened to shake him down as well by renegotiating their prenuptial agreement. The former first lady, 53, reportedly tried to increase her monthly allowance and bolster the inheritance of their son Barron, 17, in exchange for her support on the campaign trail.
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"This really was a take-it-or-leave-it situation," an insider told Radar Online, adding, "Let's just say Melania was in no mood to negotiate with Donald — and he knew full well there was no chance he was returning to the Oval Office without her." The sensational trial apparently made Melania believe she could up her allowance and edit the revamped arrangement to her favor, sources claimed.
Tipsters previously alleged that the couple was on a three-month trial separation and that Melania had consulted divorce lawyers. "She was going to summer in Europe with Barron and take the time to figure out her next steps regarding her marriage," sources told Radar Online, adding, "But Donald was desperate and had to make a deal, so she took advantage of the situation."
Another insider claimed this was not the first time Melania has used her husband's political aspirations to land a more favorable prenup. Insiders told the outlet that the former supermodel tore up an older version of the document and secured a much better deal after agreeing to move from New York City's Trump Tower to the White House following her husband's 2016 victory. "Remember, Melania didn't join Donald in Washington for five long months after his inauguration," an insider claimed, adding, "She used the situation well to her advantage back then — and saw no reason why she shouldn't do it again."
It's worth noting that Melania was not seen at her husband's side when he was arraigned before a judge in New York to face charges relating to "hush money" paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels following an alleged affair. The former cover girl was also nowhere to be seen when Trumo subsequently delivered a defiant speech at Mar-a-Lago, speaking against the New York prosecutor and judge who presided over his arraignment. Some believed Melania's absence proved that the marriage was over, but broadcaster Cooper Lawrence claimed the ex-model knew better than to leave such a lucrative arrangement.
"I think [Melania] is sick of being embarrassed by [Donald]... but we have seen women stand by their men many, many times because the attitude it is, 'Listen, you messed up. Why should I be poor?'" Lawrence told the Australian breakfast show Sunrise in April. According to her, rumors had been circulating for years around New York that their marriage was only a "business relationship." The broadcaster speculated, "I don't know for sure. I've never met her, but they're saying that, you know, it's a symbiotic relationship," adding, "He gets the hot model on his arm. She gets to be wealthy and she gets to be an American citizen and then she got to be first lady... [and] part of their business is her standing by him."