One of the most mystifying aspects of Melania Trump and Donald Trump’s marriage is that they haven’t split yet. No one knows what’s really going on with the Trumps’ marriage, though speculation abounds. But a 2024 photo featuring Marla Maples acting a bit overly comfortable with the now-president reignited the rumors about Donald and Melania’s relationship. Maples and Donald divorced in 1999 after a two-year separation period. 

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But despite the end of her marriage, Maples continued to speak highly of her ex-husband and the father of her daughter, Tiffany Trump, through the years. “I still love Donald. I love Eric, Ivanka and Donnie so much,” she said on Oprah Winfrey’s “Where Are They Now?” in 2013, referring to Donald’s children from his marriage to Ivana Trump (via People). In 2016, she also defended him against accusations that he had paid her to keep her from dishing about their marriage. “Absolutely not true! He’s the father of my child. I do not want to ever speak negative about him,” she said in an interview with “Access Hollywood.”

Maples continued to support her ex as he ventured into politics. In 2024, she even said she was willing to serve as Donald’s vice president should he ask her. “I’m open. I’m open to whatever way that I can serve. Right now everyone [in the Trump family] is just seeing how we can help,” she told The Standard. Maples’ loyalty to Donald has long drawn admiration from her fans, but some think she may be too loyal.

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When Donald Trump won the presidency on November 5, 2024, his high-profile supporters took to social media to celebrate. Among them was Rumble creator Chris Pavlovski. But one of the photos he shared on Instagram turned heads for an unexpected reason. The picture (seen above) showed Marla Maples whispering in Donald’s ear during a party at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by UFC CEO Dana White and casino and hotel mogul Steve Wynn. Donald leaned into her, suggesting they’re rather comfortable with each other.

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While Maples’ loyalty to her ex-husband is nothing new, observers believe her interaction with Donald indicates something more. “Oh s*** the X wife’s arrived on the scene. The devotion she had for him has never died,” one user commented. Others argued that the relationship between the two suggests that Donald and Melania Trump’s marriage is all but done. “Someone will need to do the f***ing Christmas decorations next year. Melania is out of this marriage, that is very clear,” an X user wrote.

Yet others argued Maples had Melania-centric reasons to stick around the president and his influential circle. “He needs a first lady since Melania isn’t interested in being that,” another X user chimed in. Maples did indeed become more politically involved during her ex’s second term, particularly in the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But, given that Maples has supported Donald for decades, no one can accuse her of inconsistency.

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