Apr 2, 2018 - Politics & Policy

An anecdote from new Trump book showcases Melania's power

Axios

Trump and Melanie in the Oval Office — In the Oval Office. Photo: Oliver Contreras / Pool via Getty Images

Out tomorrow from Ronald Kessler, a former Washington Post reporter, "The Trump White House: Changing the Rules of the Game." And one anecdote from the book showcases Melania's power in the Trump household.

The setup: The book features a tale involving Anthony Senecal, Trump’s longtime butler at Mar-a-Lago, who opened the door of the estate one Saturday to find Martha Stewart standing there...

“She had bicycled over to the club, and she asked if she could take a tour ... Senecal asked her to return the next day at 3 p.m."
After being told of the arrangement, 'Trump lit into the butler, screaming at him and calling him a ‘dumb ass’ for scheduling the tour at 3 p.m. when workers would be shifting furniture around."
“Trump yelled that Senecal instead should have scheduled the tour for lunchtime, when well-heeled club members would be on hand to impress and be impressed."
Melania entered and said: “I don’t think you should talk to Tony in that tone."
Senecal said that the next morning Trump, without explanation, handed him $2,000 in twenties: “It was his way of apologizing.... Melania rules the roost."

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An anecdote from new Trump book showcases Melania's power

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