Former aide alleges payments for Melania Trump's campaign appearances
Sarah Matthews, who served as deputy White House press secretary under Donald Trump, has alleged that Melania Trump was paid to appear at campaign events. Speaking on the "On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella" podcast hosted by MeidasTouch, Matthews said it "has been reported" that the first lady received payment for such appearances.
"It's been reported that Melania gets paid for showing up at events when they were on the campaign trail, which is crazy to think that you have to pay your own wife to show up somewhere," Matthews said. She added, "I wonder if her rate has gone up after all this news."
Matthews, who worked on Trump's 2020 campaign and later in the White House before resigning after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, said she never met Melania during her tenure. "The only person I never met was Melania Trump," she said. Matthews described it as "a known thing" that the first lady "didn't want to be around" the White House, adding that Melania described the residence as "old and falling apart" and preferred New York.
The Hindustan Times noted that it has not independently verified the claim about payment for campaign appearances.
Recent public appearances and scrutiny
Melania Trump ended a public absence of more than a month when she appeared at a White House Rose Garden event for her Fostering the Future initiative. At the event, she quipped, "I heard you missed me. Here I am!" The appearance was her 40th public event in 2026, according to the Daily Beast.
Matthews suggested the timing of the appearance was notable because it came after reports about Natalie Harp, an executive assistant to the president, and her close working relationship with Trump. Harp has drawn attention in recent weeks over reports examining her role.
On Sunday, Melania joined Trump at the Freedom 250, an IndyCar race around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The couple took a lap in "The Beast" as crowds chanted "U.S.A.," according to NPR. Some observers speculated the couple were arguing, as Newsweek reported. A video circulated on X during the race claimed to show Melania leaving a viewing area shortly after Harp appeared, with a caption reading, "Melania leaves as soon as Natalie Harp is spotted in the booth."
First lady's public profile
The Daily Beast reported that Melania has averaged one public appearance every six days, dropping to about one every 12 days during the summer. The outlet also reported she has delivered fewer speeches than Michelle Obama during a comparable period. In the past month, Melania skipped the White House Correspondents' Dinner on July 24 and the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham on July 28, per the Daily Beast.
Matthews described Melania as elusive during the first term and the 2020 campaign, echoing her comment about never meeting her. She also echoed that Melania didn't want to stay at the White House, calling it "old and falling apart."
Context on Melania's role and Harp
Trump biographer Michael Wolff reported that Harp is a big reason Melania has stayed away, and that the two are in a "secret power struggle," as cited by The Mercury News. Matthews said she thought Melania may have appeared for the initiative but also thought the timing "was suspect."
Page Six reported in 2023 that Melania renegotiated her prenuptial agreement for financial security for her and her son Barron, at least the third time. Mary Jordan's 2020 book "The Art of Her Deal" detailed a 2017 renegotiation where Melania delayed moving to the White House to ensure Barron's equal treatment.
Matthews' comments come as Melania's public appearances have drawn renewed attention, with questions about her role and her relationship to the administration's activities.