The office of former first lady Melania Trump said a book soon to be released by Stephanie Grisham, her former chief of staff, is merely an effort “to gain relevance and money at the expense of Mrs. Trump.”
Grisham, who was former President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary from July 2019 to April 2020 and then the chief of staff for the first lady until she resigned on Jan. 6, wrote the tell-all book I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw at the Trump White House, an apparent play on the fact that Grisham did not hold any press conferences during her time as press secretary.
“The intent behind this book is obvious. It is an attempt to redeem herself after a poor performance as press secretary, failed personal relationships, and unprofessional behavior in the White House,” Trump’s office told Politico on Monday. “Through mistruth and betrayal, she seeks to gain relevance and money at the expense of Mrs. Trump.”
MELANIA TRUMP’S OFFICE SAYS BOOKS ABOUT HER LIFE ARE ‘IDLE GOSSIP’
Grisham’s book claimed the former first lady fell asleep before her husband delivered remarks on election night in 2020. After Donald Trump began alleging widespread voter fraud and rioters subsequently stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Grisham suggested that the then-first lady make a statement criticizing the siege, a suggestion Melania Trump rejected, the book says.
Melania Trump released a statement on Jan. 11 condemning the attack and calling for national unity.
“I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda,” she said at the time. “This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain.”
The former first lady has criticized similar efforts by other members of her inner circle in the past. After former friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, author of tell-all Melania and Me, released recordings of the then-first lady discussing White House duties, Grisham, in her capacity as the first lady’s spokeswoman, said Wolkoff’s recordings lacked context.
“Her only intent was to secretly tape the First Lady in order to peddle herself and her salacious book,” Grisham said last October. “There is no way to know if these recordings have been edited and it’s clear the clips were hand-picked and presented with no context. The First Lady remains focused on her family and serving our country.”
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Both Grisham and Melania Trump have been quiet since leaving the White House. Melania Trump, known for being a reserved first lady, has kept a low profile since relocating to Mar-a-Lago with her husband. Grisham was not heard from publicly until the announcement of her book.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Melania Trump’s office for comment but did not hear back at press time.
