President Donald Trump has been criticized and has always been questioned regarding his behavior both as a leading political figure and in his personal life. Just before the election in 2016, there were a few tapes leaked of his conversations that were caught on a hot mic.
During these conversations, he was extremely disrespectful towards the women in his life and in general. Yet his behavior was mostly ignored.
However, the questions of his relationship with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, were asked and remained unanswered. However, we did get a glimpse of his rather abhorrent conduct towards his wife when the Australian businessman Anthony Pratt came into the picture.
An audio recording involving Donald Trump and Australian businessman Anthony Pratt was released in early 2023. The audio claimed that Trump advised Melania to “show his friends what they were missing.” His idea of making his “friends” jealous was to have his wife take a stroll around their Mar-a-Lago estate while wearing a bikini.
The audio found its way into the hands of Australia’s 60 Minutes. They got it in cooperation with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. It showed Pratt repeating the offensive comment. Insiders then pointed to Trump’s reported remark as one of countless humiliations that may be pushing her toward separation.
The Australian billionaire, Anthony Pratt, claims that, “Mr. Trump asked his wife, Melania Trump, to strut around Mar-a-Lago in her bikini ‘so all the other guys could get a look at what they were missing out on.”
Why doesn’t this surprise me coming from a man who has been found… pic.twitter.com/JJInZVdzXw
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 23, 2023
The remark has caused controversy due to its insulting tone toward the former First Lady. Though there were no separation talks in 2023, there were rumors of an updated prenup just when Trump won his second term at the end of 2024.
This bikini episode was the latest addition to the string of embarrassments the First Lady had suffered during Donald Trump’s first term and after his time in office. After that, media and political circles kept speculating about Melania’s separation from Donald.
There were many reasons for her to want to step out of the marriage. These included Trump’s affair with adult movie star Stormy Daniels and their several awkward on-camera exchanges.
Melania was furious when she heard the news about her husband cheating on her with porn actress Stormy Daniels. Trump humiliated her badly.
She renegotiated her prenup agreement when Trump started his current campaign. Presumably to get more money, one imagines.
Make Trump PAY! pic.twitter.com/tOrNYGcjUs— Corby Zone (@MissionArtist) April 19, 2024
Melania was extremely offended by the resurfacing remarks. Especially the notion of being casually objectified for amusement among Trump’s wealthy pals. This was reported by people close to the couple. One insider told The Independent, “She has endured a lot over the years.” “However, public humiliation like this makes it increasingly difficult to continue being a helpful wife.”
To no one’s surprise, Donald Trump used his trademark deflection and personal insults in his response to the leaked recording. He referred to Anthony Pratt as a “red-haired weirdo from Australia.” He maintained that the accusations were falsehoods made for political reasons. Trump then claimed that rather than engaging in improper banter, their discussions centered on economic development.
On his failed social media platform, Trump denies that he ever spoke with the “Red-haired weirdo from Australia, named Anthony Pratt” about Submarines. pic.twitter.com/3XWzJLMSeR
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 23, 2023
He may have denied the accusations and recording, yet the backlash was immediate. There were many instances posted by social media users that drew attention to Trump’s habit of using disrespect or objectifying women. This also included his wives, all three of them.
Where some viewed it as a window into the turmoil behind the scenes, others dismissed it as a lighthearted jest.
When she joined Donald Trump for his campaign for his second term, people assumed things went back to normal. Their PDA and affectionate moments during Pope’s funeral service and Trump’s appreciation for Melania during the White House event for Mother’s Day had people believe that all was back to normal.
A Most Sensitive Subject in the White House: Where Is Melania?
Mrs. Trump has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since her husband was inaugurated 108 days ago. pic.twitter.com/i9yY3jiPg2
— Abhishek Gupta (@tgbsocial) May 8, 2025
However, one cannot ignore the fact that the FLOTUS has been missing from the white house for an extensive period of time and has lived with the President for only 14 days so far. We might see a separation announcement soon, and it will be a culmination of all the insults and ignorance Donald Trump has shown his wife over the years.
