Melania Trump breaks silence as Donald rape trial deliberations begin

Melania Trump has finally spoken out about her husband Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and thrown her support behind him on the same day deliberations begin in his civil rape trial.

His wife and mother-of-one said: “He has my support, and we look forward to restoring hope for the future and leading America with love and strength.”

Trump is facing claims he raped journalist E Jean Carroll in 1996 in a civil lawsuit.

Amid the denouement of the case, Melania made her first public appearance in months, speaking about Trump’s re-election campaign for the first time.

The former First Lady told Fox News: “My husband achieved tremendous success in his first administration, and he can lead us toward greatness and prosperity once again.”

READ MORE: ‘I want to live a meaningful life’: Melania Trump opened up in a profound interview

E. Jean Carroll, 79, claims Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman hotel dressing room back in 1996.

He strongly denies the allegations which he has called “false” and has slammed the case against him as a “disgrace”.

At the same time as speaking out publicly on her husband’s presidential bid, Melania used the interview to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her Be Beat campaign.

Conceived during her time as First Lady, the campaign focuses on child well-being, opioid abuse, and online safety. It’s a campaign Melania says she will continue if she becomes First Lady again.

She said she would “prioritise the well-being and development of children as I have always done.”

She went on: “My focus would continue to be creating a safe and nurturing space for children to learn, grow, and thrive. If additional problems arise, I will take the time to study them and understand their root causes.”

The former First Lady posted rare pictures from inside Mar-a-Lago on her Twitter account today, too.

She sat down with a number of young people at the Palm Beach estate.

She wrote: “I enjoyed the open and sincere discussion I had this past weekend, over lunch, with a group of teens from the foster care community. We covered a wide range of topics, including their personal experiences, struggles, and hopes for the future. I am confident that they will persevere and realize their dreams.”