Melania Trump has largely stayed out of the spotlight during her husband’s current campaign, making only a few appearances at political events.
One of the rare occasions where she did appear, she received a significant paycheck—a highly unusual move for a candidate’s spouse.
The former first lady was paid $237,500 for speaking at an April fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, as noted in Donald Trump’s latest financial disclosure form.
The payment was recorded as a “speaking engagement,” raising eyebrows about the source of the funds.
Though the disclosure form lists the Log Cabin Republicans as the organization that hosted the event, Charles Moran, the group’s president, denied that they paid Melania Trump.
This has led to questions about who made the payment, as no further details were provided in the disclosure.
It remains unclear whether she was also paid for a similar fundraiser in July, although sources close to the event suggest that a payment request was made on her behalf.
Ethics experts have criticized the arrangement, calling it unusual and ethically questionable.
Virginia Canter, chief ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, emphasized the need for transparency.
Saying that the actual source of the payment should have been disclosed to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Despite the controversy, supporters of Melania Trump defend her decision to charge for her time.
One close associate explained that Melania believes her best contribution to Donald Trump’s campaign is on her terms, calling her a “priceless, timeless asset.”
A spokesperson for Melania Trump declined to comment.
This is not the first time Melania Trump has been compensated for a speaking engagement.
In December 2022, she was paid $250,000 for another event hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans.
Her speaking fees have drawn attention, especially since her appearances on the campaign trail have been infrequent compared to her time as first lady.
The financial disclosures also revealed that Melania Trump earned over $330,000 from a licensing agreement tied to digital trading cards (NFTs).
Additionally, she is preparing to release a memoir next month, separate from the campaign, which she will promote through a series of public appearances.
