EXCLUSIVE: Melania Trump's former friend reveals White House secrets | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

In this revealing exposé, former close friend and senior advisor to Melania Trump, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, shares intimate insights into the Trumps' marriage and political maneuverings. The tell-all book and interview detail Melania's enigmatic persona, her strategic role in Trump's presidency, and the alleged backstabbing within the family, particularly from Ivanka Trump. Wolkoff's account also addresses the controversy surrounding the inauguration's finances and her subsequent fall from grace, painting a picture of a calculated and often ruthless pursuit of power within the Trump administration.

Takeaways

• 😐 Melania Trump is often seen as a mystery, even to her husband, and has maintained an air of privacy during her time as First Lady.
• 👥 Stephanie Winston Wolkoff was a close friend of Melania for 15 years and became a trusted advisor, helping with the inauguration.
• 📚 The relationship between Melania and Donald Trump is described as complicated and not a typical marriage, with both having their own reasons for being together.
• 🌐 Melania's background as a model from Slovenia and her rise to become the First Lady of the United States is highlighted as part of the 'American Dream'.
• 🤔 Melania is often seen as complicit in her husband's actions, with the public speculating about her true feelings and reactions.
• 🤝 The friendship between Melania and Stephanie soured, leading to Stephanie writing a tell-all book about Melania and Donald Trump.
• 💸 There were allegations of financial mismanagement during the inauguration, with Stephanie accused of pocketing a large sum of money.
• 🗣️ Stephanie claims that Melania knew about the financial details and that she was thrown under the bus when the accusations arose.
• 📖 The book by Stephanie is said to contain the truth about Melania and Donald Trump, and she claims to have evidence to back up her claims.
• 🇫🇷 If Donald Trump loses the election, it's speculated that Melania would prefer to be on a yacht in the South of France, doing nothing.

Q & A

Who is Stephanie Winston Wolkoff and what was her relationship with Melania Trump?

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff is a former friend and senior advisor to Melania Trump. She claims to have been close friends with Melania for 15 years, and due to this friendship, she was made a trusted advisor and helped organize Donald Trump's inauguration.

What led to the souring of the friendship between Stephanie Winston Wolkoff and Melania Trump?

The friendship soured after Stephanie was accused of pocketing a significant amount of money from the inauguration she helped organize. Melania Trump did not publicly defend her, leading Stephanie to feel betrayed.

What is Stephanie Winston Wolkoff's view on Melania Trump's public persona?

Stephanie believes that Melania Trump is a mystery to the public, even to her own husband, and that she remains enigmatic on purpose to avoid answering to anyone.

How does Stephanie describe the Trump marriage?

Stephanie describes the Trump marriage as not typical and suggests it is a strategic, transactional relationship beyond most people's comprehension.

What was Melania Trump's reaction to Donald Trump's alleged affairs?

Melania Trump is quoted as saying that certain things don't need to be explained, implying she chose not to address the allegations publicly.

What role does Ivanka Trump play in the narrative provided by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff?

Stephanie portrays Ivanka Trump as a challenger to Melania's role as First Lady, suggesting that Ivanka is more interested in power and personal gain than in supporting Melania.

Why did Stephanie Winston Wolkoff write a tell-all book about Melania Trump?

Stephanie wrote the book to clear her name and provide her perspective on the events that transpired, after feeling betrayed and thrown under the bus by Melania.

What was the controversy surrounding the inauguration that Stephanie was involved in organizing?

The controversy was about the high cost of the inauguration, with allegations that Stephanie pocketed a significant amount of the funds. She was accused of receiving $26 million but was only paid $490,000.

How does Stephanie Winston Wolkoff describe her own role in the Trump administration?

Stephanie describes herself as being in a privileged position as Melania's senior advisor, but also as someone who was eventually seen as trouble due to her questioning and desire to help Melania.

What does Stephanie Winston Wolkoff claim about the Trump family's handling of the inauguration controversy?

She claims that Melania knew everything about the financial matters related to the inauguration and that the Trump family did not support her during the investigation, leading her to feel betrayed.

What does Stephanie Winston Wolkoff predict for Melania Trump if Donald Trump loses the election?

Stephanie predicts that Melania would retreat to the south of France, living a life of leisure on a yacht, doing what she's always wanted to do, which is nothing.