‘Once in a Lifetime Opportunity’: Melania Trump Lawsuit Suggests She Wanted to Profit From Being First Lady
First Lady Suing for $150 Million
Court documents filed by an attorney for Melania Trump suggest she wanted to profit financially from being the First Lady. Trump is suing the company that publishes the Daily Mail after an article the news site published suggested she had once worked as an escort. The Daily Mail later published a retraction.
But court documents state the article has prevented her from a “unique once-in-a-lifetime†opportunity as “one of the most photographed women in the world†to “launch a broad-based commercial brand†that would sell “apparel accessories, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, hair care, skin care and fragrance,†as The Washington Post reports.
The suit goes on to claim Trump has been prevented from “major business opportunities that were otherwise available to her,†of “significant value.â€
The Post reports Trump’s suit, while not detailing any specific commercial plan, charges the Daily Mail article “impugned her fitness to perform her duties as First Lady of the United States.â€
Former President George W. Bush White House ethics counsel Richard Painter told the Post, “There has never been a first lady of the United States who insinuated that she intended to make a lot of money because of the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity of being first lady.†Painter is “participating in a lawsuit claiming that President Trump’s relationship with his company violates a constitutional provision barring presidents from taking money or gifts from foreign governments.”
On social media, many attacked the First Lady, noting the outrage and backlash that would have ensued had the former First Lady, Michelle Obama, ever tried a similar commercial venture.
Michelle saw being First Lady as a way to help kids.
Melania sees it as a way to get endorsements. https://t.co/Y9ABnRZheX (Via @JuddLegum) pic.twitter.com/jTWkR2uY0A
— justin kanew (@justin_kanew) February 7, 2017
Michelle Obama = Striving to make America’s children healthier
Melania Trump = Suing over not being able to make millions as first lady— Adam Murray (@Atom_Murray) February 7, 2017
ðŸMelania wanting to use first lady position to sell fragrances and clothing line!Oh yeah,she reminds me of Jackie and Michelle!#Not
— #Not My President (@Daniell30653742) February 7, 2017
So Michelle Obama tried to help kids get healthier and Melania wants to make more money for herself….WTH Republicans? https://t.co/lee3esxhnP
— LiberalYogi (@Liberalyogi) February 7, 2017
Our 1st Ladies:
Michelle: Fitness
Laura: Reading
Hillary: Gender equality
Barbara: Literacy
Nancy: No drugsMelania: Selling her shit. pic.twitter.com/ispfESkxNj
— Table for 1, please (@staymaddening) February 7, 2017
Conservs who hate Michele Obama have 2 explain what they think of Melania wanting 2 use FLOTUS role 2 make $150 mill https://t.co/StVL2mPk08
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) February 7, 2017
People gave Michelle Obama shit about anything but no one says anything about Melania using the position to make herself more money
— Yungwy (@dunham_wyatt) February 7, 2017
Everything Michelle was accused of and was not, Melania appears to be, wholeheartedly and unapologetically. Sad. https://t.co/Kwo75d7XXT
— David Epling (@assurgam) February 7, 2017
Michelle: health and nutrition
Laura: education and literacy
Hillary: senator and secretary of state
Melania: https://t.co/eNDtFxwGXA
— Bestie DeVos (@SketchMasterMJH) February 7, 2017
Wow. Just wow. Melania Is the ultimate gold digger. If this were Michelle, ppl would be calling for her head. https://t.co/vi2NiT1xgP
— Raquel Cepeda (@RaquelCepeda) February 7, 2017
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Image by Disney | ABC Television Group via Flickr and a CC license

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