Donald Trump Says 'Beautiful Women' at Mar-a-Lago Are 'Driving Me Crazy'

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that "beautiful women" at his Mar-a-Lago event were "driving me crazy" while speaking to supporters.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, the Patriot Takes account shared a video of Trump at Mar-a-Lago in which he can be seen saying to one of his supporters, "Nice event, isn't it? Look at all these beautiful women. You're driving me crazy."

Context

As the November presidential election draws closer, a rematch between President Joe Biden and Trump was all but confirmed last week when they reached their parties' delegate nomination thresholds, having dominated multiple Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively.

But as Trump continues on the campaign trail, his recent behavior at events have come under scrutiny, specifically, as some point out, when it pertains to his family members.

Footage of the former president appearing to ignore his grandson at a UFC match last week has gone viral. At the fight, Trump, spotting his daughter Ivanka Trump, pulls her in for a hug before shaking hands with her husband, Jared Kushner. However, as his grandson begins to move toward the ex-president, Trump walks away, leaving the child looking dejected.

Since Trump began his 2024 bid for the White House, critics have questioned why the former first lady, Melania Trump, has appeared to remove herself from public life amid her husband's campaign and various ongoing legal troubles.

What We Know

On Tuesday at an event at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort residence, Trump spoke to supporters as he remarked about the "beautiful women" in the crowd.

Although it is unclear what the gathering entailed, Trump often takes to his Florida resort residence to speak to his fans following important election campaign results.

Newsweek has reached out to Trump's campaign via email for comment on Tuesday.

Trump previously faced off against former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on March 5, Super Tuesday. The former president won nearly every primary contest and took the stage at his watch party at Mar-a-Lago to make a speech before his supporters. Many expected his wife to be in attendance, and her absence stirred speculation about her continued lack of public appearances.

However, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, former aide and close confidant of the former first lady, posted on X earlier this month, "WARNING Melania Trump was NOT at Donald's victory party because she did NOT have to be. His supporters do NOT care if she is by his side or NOT, so now she does NOT have to be. NOThing more, NOThing less."

Melania has since reappeared, as she and her husband hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at a dinner reception at Mar-a-Lago last week.

Views

Speculation about the couple's relationship has grown in recent months, as observers have noted that Melania has taken a less active role in the presumptive GOP nominee's 2024 election campaign.

During a February town hall in South Carolina, Trump addressed his wife's absence when asked if she would be active on the campaign trail, much like current first lady Jill Biden.

Trump went on to say that much of his wife's attention is devoted to their 17-year-old son, Barron Trump.

"Her life revolves around that boy, [he's] so important to her. At the same time, it also revolves around our country and the success of our country. She's raised a lot of money for charity. She's a private person," he said.

However, Wolkoff, whose relationship with the former first lady's family deteriorated over a controversy surrounding the former president's 2017 inauguration, shared more thoughts in a post to X last week.

"Let me bottom line this for you," she wrote. "Perception is everything to the Trump Family so Donald's lack of 'chivalry' towards Melania is quite a 'tell.' Chivalry for Donald was waiting for Melania to go first & ensuring she walked by his side. He's been doing neither recently."

What's Next?

Melania Trump on Tuesday gave a two-word answer after being asked if she plans to return to the campaign trail ahead of the 2024 election.

"Stay tuned," she said to reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, alongside her husband.

Update, 3/19/24, 5:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.