On Thursday, the day the select committee investigating the Capitol riots held its latest hearing, former first lady Melania Trump told Fox News Digital that she was busy fulfilling official duties when the riot took place and that she “would have immediately denounced the violence,” if she knew all the details.
This statement seemingly contradicts the account of Trump’s former Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham, who claimed in her book tell-all book, “I’ll Take Your Questions Now” that the first lady attended a photo shoot of a rug on Jan.
6, 2021, the day of the deadly riot, according to People magazine.
Grisham also posted a text message screenshot last month that indicates Trump refused to tweet in favor of peaceful protesting. She tweeted the image – which shows a blue text bubble (typically the color a sender sees their message in on an iPhone) that reads “Do you want to tweet that peaceful protests are the right of every American, but there is no place for lawlessness & violence?” – with no caption.
In response, a contact named “MT” said, “no.” The Washington Examiner reported that Grisham confirmed that “MT” was Melania Trump.
Grisham said she resigned immediately after the exchange.
Trump, however, said she was “unaware of what was simultaneously transpiring at the U.S. Capitol Building,” on Jan. 6.
“As with all First Ladies who preceded me, it was my obligation to record the contents of the White House’s historic rooms, including taking archival photographs of all the renovations. Several months in advance, I organized a qualified team of photographers, archivists, and designers to work with me in the White House to ensure perfect execution,” she continued, an account that lines up with Grisham’s claim about the rug photo shoot.
In regards to Grisham, the former first lady said that she has “always been supportive,” of her former staffer, even after her “failed stint as White House Press Secretary.” Trump also told Fox News Digital that Grisham was not in the White House in Jan. 6 and that her conduct was a “dereliction of duty,” echoing the select committee’s comments about her husband, former President Donald Trump.
Melania Trump argued that “traditionally, the First Lady’s Chief of Staff provides detailed briefings surrounding our Nation’s important issues,” and said Grisham failed to “provide insight and information into the events surrounding January 6 as she had abandoned her post in Washington, D.C.”
When the Grisham’s book was published in October, a spokesperson for Melania Trump said it contained “mistruth and betrayal,” in an attempt to make money.
Trump told Fox News Digital this week that “Grisham’s recent betrayals are a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate her ruined career and reputation,” adding that it is not the first time a former staffer has tied to do so.
She also told the outlet “I always condemn violence.”
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