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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Melania Trump Inspires New Netflix Show: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. First lady Melania Trump has inspired Netflix's new show The Hunting Wives, one of the shows top actors Malin Akerman said. Why It Matters Melania Trump—who is married to President Donald Trump—has long been the target of public scrutiny. Over the years, the 55-year-old has faced criticism for her speeches, the White House rose garden renovation, her thoughts on Christmas decorations and more. The couple has been married since 2005, welcoming their son Barron Trump in 2006. Earlier this year, the White House hit back after rumors of a possible split were made by biographer Michael Wolff, who said on The Daily Beast Podcast in May that the Trumps "are separated." In response, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told The Independent that Wolff was "a blithering idiot" who had been "widely discredited due to his blatant lies and fabrications." "He is an imbecile of the highest order," Cheung said. The Hunting Wives quickly surged to one of the top watched shows on Netflix after its release on July 21. It is based on the 2021 novel of the same name written by May Cobb. Newsweek reached out to a Netflix spokesperson and Melania Trump's representative via email for comment on Tuesday. First lady Melania Trump visits Number 10 Downing Street during the second day of President Donald Trump's state visit on June 4, 2019, in London. First lady Melania Trump visits Number 10 Downing Street during the second day of President Donald Trump's state visit on June 4, 2019, in London. Karwai Tang/WireImage What To Know The plot follows Sophie O'Neil (Brittany Snow) as she moves from Boston to a small Texas town with her husband Graham (Evan Jonigkeit). She soon finds herself out of her comfort zone in an affluent circle of housewives who call themselves the "Hunting Wives." In an interview with Vulture, which was published last week, Akerman—who stars as socialite Margo Banks in the drama—said that the show's creative team described her character as like Melania Trump: "Someone who 'came into a marriage to this rich man as one woman, then finds the expectations for her have shifted once he becomes politically ambitious.' " "That was the only reference, really. Other than that, it's just high-society," Akerman told the outlet. "I've mingled with aristocrats and high-society people and seen the games that go into it. For lack of a better word, I wouldn't say 'authenticity' is how those people lead." The Proposal actress added that the series will keep viewers entertained. "This show moves pretty quick. It's not a slow pace or, like, I hope they kiss by episode whatever," she said. "We're diving right in there." According to data analytics site Luminate, The Hunting Wives was the most streamed series in the United States across major platforms last week, The New York Times reported. What People Are Saying Critics' reviews of The Hunting Wives have been mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the shows has a Tomatometer score of 77 percent and a Popcornmeter score of 68 percent. According to its website, the Tomatometer score is "based on the collective opinions of hundreds of film and television critics," while the Popcornmeter score "captures audience sentiment." Rolling Stone said: "The Hunting Wives isn't even close to being a successful political satire. But luckily for the series, which already has fans clamoring for a second season, there's no need for it to be. The binge-drop melee of sex, drugs, murder, and sex is the perfect formula to keep viewers locked to their couches for however long it takes for the clothes to come off." The New York Times said: "The Hunting Wives sets up a kind of red state-blue state conflict, but the plot is largely the stuff of soapy fantasy. There's nothing new in the idea that beneath all the Bible-thumping and purity rhetoric, there might be a whole lot of dirty stuff going on in rural America. Still, Akerman's performance makes the case that hypocrisy can be liberating. Like Snow's wide-eyed Sophie, you'll have trouble resisting her charms." Variety said: "Twist after twist keeps the story constantly in motion, at the expense of both texture and basic coherence, until the season ends on an oddly open note —less hanging over a cliff than trailing off into the ether." Time magazine said: "The Hunting Wives is too much, in ways both delectable and exhausting. Executive producer and showrunner Rebecca Cutter risks running out of steam in the back half of the season, let alone in a second. But for now, at least, its sheer exuberance keeps all the try-hard naughtiness from feeling excessively self-satisfied." What Happens Next The Hunting Wives is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Brazenly Preyed On Me as Epstein Watched: Model
Stacey Williams, a former model who once dated Jeffrey Epstein, says Donald Trump groped her in his Trump Tower office in 1993—while casually chatting with Epstein just feet away. In a new episode of The Daily Beast Podcast, Williams says the incident unfolded after Epstein had suggested they stop by Trump Tower while taking a walk down Fifth Avenue. 'Donald came out of his office right outside of, in sort of the waiting area, and started groping me while the two of them continued having a casual conversation,' Williams tells host Joanna Coles on The Daily Beast Podcast. 'He's just moving his hands sort of up and down my body and like smiling at him and Jeffrey smiling back.' Williams was 25 at the time, while Trump was around 46. Williams first came forward with the allegations in October 2024 during a call organized by Survivors for Kamala, a group of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. At the time, the Trump campaign denied her account. 'These accusations, made by a former activist for Barack Obama and announced on a Harris campaign call two weeks before the election, are unequivocally false. It's obvious this fake story was contrived by the Harris campaign,' Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Guardian at the time. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. Williams says she first met Trump—then still a real estate developer—during a taping of Saturday Night Live, where she says he immediately made her feel 'uncomfortable' by being 'extremely flirtatious,' even though his then-girlfriend and future wife, Marla Maples, was present. But she says Epstein, 'always talked about Donald,' and that Trump was 'ever-present in those conversations and in those months.' When Epstein proposed dropping by Trump's office, she didn't think twice about it. 'I knew at that point how close they were, what good friends they were,' Williams said. 'That wasn't the first time I'm hearing about the degree of their connection where it's normal or comfortable to just stop by his office in the middle of the day.' 'So I said, oh, all right. OK, let's stop by,' she recalls. Williams says that she froze as Trump began groping her, caught off guard by how brazenly he did it while carrying on his conversation with Epstein. 'I was just confused because they were continuing to talk, as if nothing's happening,' she says. 'Everything Donald does is hidden in its brazenness. You just do it right out there and everyone goes 'Well, that can't be happening because it's totally wrong and he's doing it right in front of everyone, so therefore it can't be happening.' I mean that's what went through my head at that point.' Noting that she had, by that point, garnered a reputation in the modeling industry for standing up for herself in the face of inappropriate photographers, Williams added: 'For me to freeze, you know how masterful he is, in a way, to pull that off.' Afterwards, in the elevator down, Williams says Epstein 'had a really enraged look on his face.' 'By the time we get out on the street—we got out on Fifth Avenue—he just turned and started yelling at me and said, 'Why did you let him do that?'' she recalls. Williams, now 57, suspects that Epstein had expected her to fight back as she had told him she was used to pushing back against unwanted advances. She says she stopped seeing Epstein soon after. Later in 1993, she says Trump sent her a postcard with an aerial view of Mar-a-Lago, writing, 'Stacey—your home away from home. Love, Donald,' using a black Sharpie. Leavitt has previously argued that the handwriting on the postcard was not Trump's. Two friends confirmed to The Guardian, which first reported Williams's story, that she had told them years ago about the alleged incident. Williams' accusation of groping and unwanted sexual advances echoes a broader pattern: about two dozen women have accused the former president of sexual misconduct spanning several decades, according to The Guardian. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996. Williams, a native of rural Pennsylvania, arrived in New York as an 18-year-old in 1986 after being signed by a modeling agency. She says she first met Epstein through her agent, but that they only exchanged numbers after meeting again at a Christmas party in the Plaza Hotel hosted by Trump in 1992, after which they dated casually for a period of a few months. She describes dating Epstein as 'not really dating' and 'very odd,' because 'he didn't like to go to restaurants. He said he didn't like humanity.' She says they spoke almost daily over the phone for around four to five months, and they 'didn't have a very sexual relationship.' Still, she saw flashes of a 'dark and twisted' side of Epstein, often through 'subtle' threats he would make. At one point, she says he told her he had filmed her nude in his bedroom. 'He liked to intimidate,' she says. Williams says the MeToo movement prompted her to revisit her experiences with Epstein and Trump and 'start connecting more dots.' Epstein and Trump were friends from the late 1980s through to 2004, when they had a falling out because Epstein 'stole' Trump's staff, the 79-year-old president recently revealed. Trump says he was never aware of Epstein's crimes. Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008, but only served a controversial 13-month stint in county jail. In 2019, he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges and died in jail while awaiting trial on charges that could have led to a life sentence. His death was ruled a suicide. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Epstein's Victims Say Ghislaine Was Even Worse: Author
An investigative reporter who covers the Jeffrey Epstein case has detailed how some victims of the disgraced financier hold Ghislaine Maxwell just as accountable. Tara Palmeri, who has reported extensively on the two, told The Daily Beast Podcast that narratives online that Maxwell is being 'persecuted just because she's a woman' are 'extremely frustrating.' 'She assaulted a lot of the girls,' Palmeri told host Joanna Coles. 'I mean, she did that herself. She was with him, sexually assaulting them, on top of grooming them.' 'When I talk to a lot of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, so many of them are actually even more angry at Ghislaine Maxwell than they are at Jeffrey, because they feel that she used the fact that she was a woman to lure them in,' added Palmeri, who hosted the Broken: Jeffrey Epstein podcast. 'Because little girls don't just show up on a 50-year-old man's doorstep. They were brought in by a woman who not only was posh, well-educated, elegant, spoke well, showed interest in them, wanted to show mentorship, promised them that she could fulfil their dreams.' Maxwell has been back in the headlines after weeks of controversy over the Trump administration's decision not to release further materials about Epstein, the convicted sex offender and financier who died while awaiting trial in 2019. Amid sustained pressure from MAGA supporters, the Justice Department on Tuesday announced that its prosecutors were in talks to meet with Maxwell to ascertain if she has information to share about any additional perpetrators. The move was viewed as an effort to appease Trump's base, and raised concerns that Maxwell—who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking and other crimes—would seek to leverage the meeting for a reduced sentence. Palmeri also spoke of a disturbing detail from Epstein's 40th birthday party, in light of The Wall Street Journal's recent report about a racy birthday card Donald Trump allegedly sent to Epstein for his 50th. Palmeri said the 40th was an 'equally depraved event.' She said a former friend of Maxwell's that she had interviewed, journalist and occasional singer Christopher Mason, said he was asked by the socialite to write and sing a song at the party. 'Ghislaine asked that the song include his 24-hour erections, and his love of schoolgirls. And it was sung before all these people,' Palmeri said. Mason told Vanity Fair in 2020 he thought it was 'odd' at the time, but Maxwell 'clearly thought that that was something that was going to amuse him.' Palmeri said these types of events were designed to help guests feel more comfortable and drop their guard. 'She wanted everyone to think it's a laugh and these girls are party favors and we're all in on it. 'It's just fun, don't worry.' And that's how... she actually groomed the elites in some ways,' she said. 'I mean, she would literally describe the girls as tissues,' she added. 'She said, you can throw them away. I mean, this is a woman who really dehumanized these children.' Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors over the course of a decade. She was found guilty of five counts related to the abuse and trafficking of underage girls. New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Gwyneth: The Biography' author Amy Odell unpacks the cultural power—and cringe—of a woman who shaped what it means to be a modern celebrity, whether we like it or not.
Gwyneth Paltrow is an Oscar-winning actress, a best-selling cookbook author, and the founder of a $250 million lifestyle brand. She is also, according to at least one magazine, The Most Hated Celebrity in the World. Author Amy Odell, who spoke with more than 220 sources over three years for the recently released Gwyneth: The Biography, thinks the reason why the Goop founder is 'so triggering' to so many people is because she 'has never had an average life.' Odell sat down with The Daily Beast Podcast to provide some insight into Paltrow's regularly scrutinized wellness claims and accidental class war commentary—as well as her surprisingly savvy business instincts.
Daily Mirror
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Melania Trump missing in 'separation' as Donald arrives in UK
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Scotland for a five-day visit of golf courses in the country but his wife Melania has remained on the other side of the Atlantic Donald Trump arrived in Scotland as part of a five-day tour of golf courses in the country, although First Lady Melania appears not to have joined him. The US President touched down in Prestwick Airport last night and spoke with UK officials and reporters before he set of for his golf resort in Turnberry, in South Ayrshire, where he is expected to play a few rounds. Mr Trump is expected to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday months after the pair agreed a trade arrangement over certain goods. "I'm in Scotland now," Mr Trump said today on TruthSocial. "Many meetings planned." But it appears Melania Trump has decided to avoid the trip to Scotland. Melania's absence means she will avoid planned protests across Scotland amid Mr Trump's visit. Thousands of protesters are expected in Edinburgh and Aberdeen from around 12pm today. Melania's absence comes amid speculation she and Mr Trump have essentially "separated" following reports she has only been at the White House for two weeks following his inauguration in January. Journalist Michael Wolff, who has written several books about Mr Trump, previously told The Daily Beast Podcast. "They clearly do not in any way inhabit a marriage as we define marriage," he said. He continued: "And 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." Russia mocked the apparent marriage problems with Russia 1 TV personality Malek Dudakov sating: "In my opinion Trump has certain marital problems. Melania spends most of her time not at the White House, but in New York, along with her son, who recently enrolled in a University. She doesn't even live with Trump." He then pointed to the president's plunging poll numbers, adding: "Trump's ratings have certainly fallen. The latest YouGov polls show only 40 per cent. He has to somehow climb out of this hole. We will see whether or not Donald Trump's able to do it." The comment comes amid speculation Melania somehow influenced her husband to grant more aid to Ukraine amid its war with Russia. Following a conversation between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, she notified him about a Moscow-ordered strike on Ukraine. While it is unclear whether Melania has any major engagements while her husband is away in Europe, she has been at the heart of peculiar changes in the US. Republicans are mounting efforts to rename the Kennedy Center's Opera House in her honour. The House Appropriations Committee said it is considering an amendment that would result in the theatre to be renamed as the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House." Idaho Republican Representative said: "This is an excellent way to recognize [Melania Trump's] support and commitment to promoting the arts, and I would encourage members to vote for this Republican en bloc amendment." Meanwhile, Democrats told the Washington Post the move was "divisive." Melania is also overseeing the transformation of the iconic White House Rose Garden, a key piece of Americana that has been beamed into households across the world whenever major leaders visit Washington DC. The once lush lawn, complete with rose bushes, has now been concreted over with the White House announcing the "restoration" efforts expected to be completed by mid-August. Officials have defended the move by claiming the changes will enhance guest experiences. But there have been mixed reactions to the change. But Melania is due to travel to the UK with her husband for a historic second official state visit from September 17 and 19. The couple will be hosted by King Charles during their visit to Windsor Castle. The Trumps previously arrived in the UK for a state visit and were hosted by Queen Elizabeth in 2019. The visit will come as much-wanted respite for the president who has seen his approval ratings plunge in recent weeks amid ongoing speculation about late billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. During Mr Trump's successful campaign for a second term, himself and members of his administration said they would release files connected to investigations into Epstein. But Mr Trump has appeared reluctant to release many of the files to the US public, sparking speculation - without evidence - that the US President was somehow more closely aligned with Epstein than previously known.
