Amid swirling controversy surrounding leaked audio recordings, former President Donald Trump vehemently denied comments allegedly made about his wife, Melania Trump, and her appearance in a bikini at Mar-a-Lago.
In the recordings, procured by outlets including Australia's 60 Minutes, Australian billionaire and Mar-a-Lago member Anthony Pratt recounts a supposed jest by Trump, suggesting Melania should showcase herself by the pool in a bikini. The proposed intention? To allow others "a look at what they were missing." Notably, Melania Trump's alleged retort was pointed: "I'll do that when you walk around with me in your bikini."
The former president, known for his forthright approach, quickly refuted these claims. In a robust defense on his Truth Social platform, Trump not only labeled The New York Times' coverage as "Fake News" but also took aim at Pratt, referring to him mockingly as a "red haired weirdo from Australia."
Rather than directly address the bikini claim, Trump pivoted the conversation, fervently criticizing both The New York Times' narrative and the subsequent inquiries by the special counsel's office. He wrote, "The Failing New York Times story, leaked by Deranged Jack Smith and the Biden 'Political Opponent Abuser' DOJ, about... Anthony Pratt, is Fake News."
As the story unfolded, Trump expanded his criticisms to the journalists behind the story, specifically naming "Maggie Hagerman [sic]" (likely referring to Maggie Haberman) and decrying media tactics: "Why would they, they just write anything they want. Whether it's correct or not is of ZERO importance to them. 'All the News That's Unfit To Print.' That's why we call it the Fake News!"
While Pratt's recordings also touch on other sensitive matters, such as the former president purportedly sharing national security information, it's the personal anecdotes involving the Trump family that have generated significant public interest.
As debates over the veracity of these claims intensify, the primary takeaway is clear: Trump remains unyielding in his responses, ready to counter-punch any allegations involving himself or his family.
