Melania Trump’s former aide, Stephanie Grisham, has expressed skepticism about the timing and purpose of the former First Lady’s sale of $245 necklaces. Grisham questioned whether the proceeds would be used for charity or to support Trump’s ongoing hush money trial.
Grisham suggested that the necklace sale could have coincided with the first day of Trump’s trial as a means of fundraising for his defense. She also proposed alternative uses for the proceeds, such as donations to charities or initiatives related to Melania’s mother’s passing.
However, Grisham acknowledged that Melania Trump often makes her own decisions and that the necklace sale may have been a personal venture. Despite her concerns about the timing of the sale, Grisham did not directly criticize Melania Trump’s actions.
The necklace, called “Her Love & Gratitude,” is available for purchase on the former first lady’s website and features a flower pendant, adjustable chain, and an NFT. The necklace can be customized by engraving names, initials, or significant dates.
Grisham’s comments come as Trump faces a civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump has been ordered to pay over $450 million in damages and back interest after a judge determined that he inflated the value of Trump Organization assets to reduce his tax liability and loan interest obligations.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the decision. He has also faced difficulty in posting a $175 million bond, which was eventually secured by Knight Specialty Insurance, a company owned by Don Hankey, a billionaire who made his fortune in subprime used car loans.
The New York Attorney General’s office initially raised concerns about the arrangement, arguing that Knight Specialty Insurance had violated federal law on multiple occasions and relied on risk-transfer practices to artificially bolster its surplus.
