Are Trump and Melania separated? Biographer makes bold claim, White House responds
Appearing on The Daily Beast podcast Tuesday, Wolff responded to reports that Melania has spent fewer than two weeks at the White House since Trump's second inauguration on January 20.
"They clearly do not in any way inhabit a marriage as we define marriage," Wolff said, suggesting further, 'I think maybe we can more specifically say they live separate lives. They are separated. The President of the United States and the First Lady are separated.'
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung slammed Wolff in a statement to The Independent, calling him 'a blithering idiot' and claiming he has been 'widely discredited due to his blatant lies and fabrications.'
'He is an imbecile of the highest order and his Trump Derangement Syndrome-addled brain has caused him to lead a miserable existence devoid of reality,' Cheung said.
Wolff is the author of several best-selling books on Trump, including 2018's 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.'
His latest book, 'All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America,' was published in February this year.
Wolff's comments came just days after The New York Times reported that Melania had spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since the start of Trump's second term.
Katherine Jellison, a historian and first lady expert, told the Times: 'We haven't seen such a low-profile first lady since Bess Truman, and that's going way back in living human memory, nearly 80 years ago.'
Also Read: Donald Trump takes over first lady duties, redesigns Rose Garden and greets tours as Melania MIA
Before her husband's return to the presidency, Melania signaled that she would be dividing her time between Washington, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, and New York City, where their son Barron is now a freshman at NYU.
"I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach,' Melania said in a Jan. 13 interview on Fox & Friends. 'My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife."
While largely absent from day-to-day political life, Melania has made a few public appearances during her husband's second term. Most recently, she and Trump traveled together to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral on April 26. She also attended the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Killing a Mockingbird? What is Operation Mockingbird and how it was used to manipulate the press and spread propaganda
Former congresswoman and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is making waves by claiming that Operation Mockingbird, a once-secret CIA media infiltration program, is still being used today to manipulate public perception and attack political figures like Donald Trump . Her explosive remarks have reignited interest in this decades-old Cold War program that allegedly turned some of the world's most respected newsrooms into tools of US intelligence. Once dismissed as conspiracy theory, Operation Mockingbird was later confirmed through declassified documents and congressional testimony, revealing a chilling truth: America's own media was being used to influence, distort, and sometimes deceive. The operation's resurfacing in today's political discourse has sparked debate not only about government transparency and media integrity, but also about the very meaning of democracy in the information age. The phrase 'killing a mockingbird' takes on eerie new weight—not just as a nod to the iconic novel by Harper Lee, but as a metaphor for the silencing of truth and the betrayal of journalistic ideals. What was Operation Mockingbird? Operation Mockingbird was a covert program launched by the CIA in the late 1940s during the early Cold War. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Colombia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Its primary purpose was to influence both domestic and foreign media in order to promote US foreign policy goals and counter Soviet propaganda. Under this initiative, the CIA recruited leading journalists from major newspapers, magazines, and broadcasting networks, often with their knowledge—and sometimes without it. Revealed in part through the 1975 Church Committee hearings and later FOIA disclosures, Mockingbird extended to prominent media institutions like The New York Times, Time Magazine, CBS News, and others. Journalists were used to plant fabricated stories, shape narratives, and even pass along classified information under the guise of 'leaks.' Some journalists were reportedly paid directly, while others collaborated due to ideological alignment with anti-communist efforts. Among the most cited examples: Joseph Alsop, a popular syndicated columnist, was on the CIA's payroll and traveled abroad to report with agency guidance. CBS founder William Paley was known to cooperate with the CIA, allowing operatives access to journalists and overseas newsrooms. The New York Times and Time magazine were also named in connection with journalists who had ties to the CIA—some knowingly, others not. Frank Wisner, who headed the CIA's Office of Policy Coordination, reportedly called the program his "Mighty Wurlitzer," referring to the agency's ability to play public opinion like a well-tuned instrument. Why was operation Mockingbird started? After World War II, the United States found itself locked in a psychological and ideological struggle with the Soviet Union. Information was the new weapon, and controlling the narrative was seen as essential to national security. The CIA, formed in 1947, quickly understood that propaganda was just as crucial as espionage. Operation Mockingbird began under CIA Director Allen Dulles and was orchestrated in part by Frank Wisner, who led the agency's Office of Policy Coordination. He called it the "mighty Wurlitzer," a metaphor for the way the agency could 'play' global opinion like an organ, producing stories that supported American interests abroad and at home. Major incidents and exposures The full extent of Operation Mockingbird remained hidden until the 1970s, when investigative journalists like Carl Bernstein (of Watergate fame) and congressional inquiries started uncovering the CIA's media ties. Bernstein's 1977 exposé in Rolling Stone revealed that more than 400 American journalists had secretly carried out assignments for the CIA over the years. The most explosive revelations came during the Church Committee hearings in 1975, chaired by Senator Frank Church. The committee confirmed that the CIA had infiltrated major newsrooms and that some editors had knowingly allowed intelligence agents to use their platforms for disinformation. While the CIA claimed to have ended the practice in the late 1970s, no verifiable external oversight was ever put in place to ensure it truly stopped. Echoes in the modern era: Tulsi Gabbard's explosive claims Fast forward to 2025, Tulsi Gabbard, now a prominent critic of the intelligence community, stated in a recent interview that 'Operation Mockingbird never ended—it just evolved.' According to Gabbard, deep state elements within the CIA continue to feed intelligence selectively to sympathetic media outlets to shape political narratives. She alleges this has been used repeatedly to attack Donald Trump and suppress dissenting views. 'There are people in the intelligence community who believe their will is more important than the will of the American people,' Gabbard said. 'They weaponize intelligence by leaking it to their friends in the media with the intent of undermining President Trump's agenda.' Though her statements are controversial, they reflect a broader public concern about the integrity of media in the digital age, especially when anonymous sources and government leaks play such a dominant role in shaping headlines. Operation Mockingbird and the death of journalistic trust Whether or not Operation Mockingbird in its original form still exists, the legacy of government influence over the media has left a permanent scar. In the age of disinformation, social media manipulation, and algorithmic echo chambers, critics argue that propaganda no longer requires covert agents—it thrives in the open. The damage Mockingbird caused wasn't just about false narratives. It undermined the credibility of the press, sowed distrust among the public, and blurred the line between journalism and statecraft. The very institutions that were meant to hold power accountable had, in many cases, become part of the machinery of power itself. A literary echo: Harper Lee and the silencing of innocence The phrase 'killing a mockingbird' is, of course, most famously associated with Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960. A poignant story about justice, morality, and racism in the American South, the novel's title refers to the idea that it's a sin to harm something innocent and pure—like a mockingbird. Lee, who passed away in 2016, was famously private and published only one other novel (Go Set a Watchman). Her work became a symbol of moral clarity and literary integrity. In contrast, the real Operation Mockingbird represents the opposite: the corruption of innocence in the public discourse, the co-opting of trusted voices, and the erosion of ethical storytelling. The metaphor is apt. Just as Harper Lee's mockingbird stood for truth and goodness, the CIA's covert campaign stood as an affront to those values—targeting not birds, but belief itself. The ongoing debate: Conspiracy or continuity? Skeptics argue that references to Operation Mockingbird today are exaggerated or misused as political weapons. There is no publicly available proof that the CIA is currently orchestrating media influence on the same scale as during the Cold War. But whistleblowers, declassified documents, and investigative reports continue to hint at covert relationships between intelligence agencies and media outlets. In an age of political polarization and information warfare, many believe the spirit of Mockingbird lives on—not as a centralized program, but as a culture of influence, leaks, and narrative control. The blurring lines between journalism, activism, and political advocacy only further complicate the matter. Watch the skies—and the headlines Operation Mockingbird serves as a stark reminder that the battle for truth often takes place behind closed doors. Whether it's old-school newspaper editors or modern social media influencers, the question remains: Who's shaping the story, and why? Tulsi Gabbard's claims may stir controversy, but they also prompt a vital question—have we really put the ghosts of Mockingbird to rest, or have they simply migrated to a new nest in the digital age? In a world where truth is often the first casualty, understanding the past might be our best defense against repeating it.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Is Kash Patel's girlfriend Alexis Wilkins a secret Israeli spy? Wild claims rock MAGA world
Country singer Alexis Wilkins is angry about 'insanely ridiculous' conspiracy theories accusing her of being a secret Israeli spy. The 26-year-old is dating Kash Patel, former Trump advisor and now head of Trump's FBI transition team. They've been together for over 2.5 years. Some MAGA influencers claim she's an Israeli 'honeypot' agent planted to compromise Trump's circle through Patel. Wilkins laughed off the theory saying, 'It would have been a really long-game play,' since they started dating way before Patel's FBI role, as reported by The Daily Beast. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science CXO MBA Degree Project Management Artificial Intelligence Management healthcare Design Thinking Cybersecurity Data Science Technology Product Management MCA PGDM Digital Marketing Data Analytics Public Policy Finance Healthcare Others others Leadership Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Why are people linking Alexis to Israel? The accusations exploded online after the Justice Department announced there was no Epstein client list, and angry MAGA supporters began looking for scapegoats. Some trolls focused on Wilkins' past work making educational videos for PragerU , a conservative content company. ALSO READ: Blue origin's August 3 space launch: Justin Sun and 5 others to fly on Jeff Bezos' new Shepard Rocket — Full crew list and livestream details The CEO of PragerU, Marissa Streit, has an Israeli intelligence background—but there is no link between Wilkins and Israel. One post even wrongly called Wilkins a Jewish country singer, but she confirmed she is a Christian who spent parts of her childhood in the U.K. and Switzerland, as per the report by The Daily Beast. Live Events A 2023 report said she studied at Collège du Léman in Switzerland, which Tucker Carlson also attended. Her dad worked for Gillette, and her mom worked in pharmaceuticals and aerospace. Wilkins said she understands why people are suspicious, because people are trying to 'connect things to explain the pain of the last four years.' How did Alexis Wilkins and Kash Patel meet? But she insisted that critics are twisting unrelated facts into false spy theories. She described her small-town upbringing in Arkansas, and recalled shipping country music albums to Europe while living abroad. Wilkins met Patel at a Nashville house party, and said they 'just happened to meet' at a friend's place, as stated by The Daily Beast. The couple's 19-year age gap doesn't bother her—she admires his 'honesty, character, values, and patriotism.' Wilkins has a weekly show on Rumble, works with veterans' charities, and openly rejects the 'left-woke institution.' She argued there's plenty of public info about her, so there's no excuse for 'vigilante research' leading to these claims. ALSO READ: After war with Israel and nuke sites obliterated by Trump - now Iran battles its worst enemy yet: A water crisis Wilkins said it's confusing and disheartening to see her words and work twisted into antisemitic fantasies. She concluded that these bizarre accusations make no logical sense, and that it's painful and unfair to be targeted just for being outspoken, according to the report by The Daily Beast. FAQs Q1. Is Alexis Wilkins an Israeli spy? No, Alexis Wilkins has denied all claims and there is no evidence linking her to Israel or any spy agency. Q2. How did Alexis Wilkins meet Kash Patel? Alexis Wilkins said she met Kash Patel over two years ago at a friend's house party in Nashville. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
UCLA hit by nearly $200 million in federal grant freeze over antisemitism and bias allegations
UCLA becomes the latest university to face federal funding cuts under Trump administration over antisemitism claims. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is facing the most significant federal funding freeze in its history, with nearly $200 million in science, medical, and academic research grants suspended by the Trump administration. The decision, reported by both The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times , comes amid accusations that UCLA has failed to combat antisemitism on campus and has engaged in race-based admissions practices. The move is part of a broader campaign by the administration to reshape elite higher education institutions, raising concerns about political interference, academic freedom, and the future of federally funded research. What's being cut and why According to The Los Angeles Times , an estimated 300 grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) totaling $180 million have been canceled. Around half of those funds had already been disbursed; the remaining amount was expected by faculty and researchers in the coming months. The full amount of canceled grants, including additional funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies, brings the total closer to $200 million, based on documents reviewed by The Times . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo In a letter to Chancellor Julio Frenk, the NSF said the decision was based on findings that UCLA 'continues to engage in race discrimination including in its admissions process, and in other areas of student life.' NIH has not publicly responded to requests for comment, as noted by The New York Times . Legal and political backdrop The cuts follow months of controversy surrounding how UCLA handled campus protests in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, and Israel's military operations in Gaza. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a statement this week, said UCLA showed 'deliberate indifference' toward antisemitic incidents reported by Jewish and Israeli students and would 'pay a heavy price' for failing to protect their civil rights. According to The New York Times , the Department of Justice also determined that the university violated civil rights laws by not properly addressing student complaints of antisemitism. Earlier this week, UCLA agreed to pay more than $6 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Jewish students and a professor who said the university permitted a hostile and unsafe protest environment. Chancellor Frenk has stated the university is taking 'concrete action,' including the creation of a new Office of Campus Safety. Wider pattern of federal scrutiny UCLA is not the only university under pressure. Schools like Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Brown have faced similar accusations and threats of funding cuts. In some cases, these institutions have entered into settlements with the federal government, agreeing to review policies on admissions, discipline, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and antisemitism prevention. Until now, however, the administration's campaign had largely focused on East Coast universities. UCLA is the first major West Coast institution to face such sweeping financial retaliation. What this means for students and research The fallout is likely to be severe for thousands of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty whose projects are sustained by federal grants. Funding from the NSF and NIH is vital for fields like biomedicine, public health, engineering, environmental science, and AI. Chancellor Frenk, in a message to the campus community on Thursday (as cited by both The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times ), warned that the cuts would do little to address discrimination and instead 'defund life-saving research.' He called the decision 'a loss for Americans across the nation.' What's at stake for students and research As the Trump administration widens its campaign to regulate what it sees as ideological excesses in higher education, the consequences are becoming tangible—especially for the next generation of scientists and scholars. The UCLA case shows how debates over campus climate and civil rights are now tied directly to billions in federal research funding. With the 2026 elections approaching, experts warn that more universities may soon face similar ultimatums. For students, faculty, and the broader research ecosystem, the challenge ahead will be balancing institutional reform with the preservation of academic freedom and scientific progress. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
