WASHINGTON: Melania Trump says she loves President Donald Trump and has “much more important things to think about” than allegations he cheated on her with a porn star, a Playboy Playmate or anyone else.

Mrs Trump, who was int­e­rviewed by ABC while touring Africa last week, said peo­ple are just spreading rumours about her marriage.

“I know people like to speculate and media like to speculate about our marriage and circulate the gossip,” she said. “But I understand the gossip sells newspapers, magazines ... and, unfortunately, we live in this kind of world today.” She insisted allegations of her husband’s infidelities are not a concern.

Trump, who during the 2016 presidential campaign was heard on an old “Access Hollywood” tape talking about groping and trying to have sex with women, has been accused of having multiple affairs. Porn star Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal have said they had sex with him years ago.

Trump has denied the trysts with Daniels and McDougal but has acknowledged reimbursing his lawyer for a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels. Mrs Trump has generally kept quiet on the subject.

Asked in the ABC interview if she loves her husband, Mrs Trump said, “Yes, we are fine. Yes.” She played down a suggestion the repeated rumours of his philandering had put a strain on their marriage.

“It is not concern and focus of mine,” she said. “I’m a mother and a first lady, and I have much more important things to think about and to do.” But when asked if the repeated rumours had hurt her, she paused. Then she reiterated the “media world is speculating.” “Yeah, it’s not always pleasant, of cou­r­­se,” she said. “But I know what is right and what is wrong and what is true and not true.” Portions of Mrs Trump’s interview aired Fri­day on “Good Morning Ame­rica.” ABC News aired more from the interview during an hourlong special broadcast Friday night, during which she explained why she wore a jacket that said “I really don’t care, do u?” on a trip to the border to visit migrant children who had been separated from their parents.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2018