Melania Trump ‘livid’ as immigration raid overshadows $75m unveiling | US | News

Melania Trump was reportedly furious after Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis overshadowed her new documentary launch, with Kristi Noem unexpectedly caught in the crossfire of the ensuing chaos.

On the Inside Trump’s Head podcast, writer Michael Wolff claimed the first lady was incandescent when her meticulously orchestrated promotional week was derailed by the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a federal immigration raid.

“This was supposed to be the Melania week,” Wolff disclosed, detailing how outrage over the deportation initiative swiftly seized headlines, depriving her of the media attention she’d expected for her $75 million film’s Kennedy Center premiere.

He suggested Melania was “truly p—ed off” as the scandal exploded just hours before an exclusive screening for wealthy donors and VIPs.

Wolff claimed the backlash prompted Trump to sideline several senior advisers and cabinet members who’d supervised the Minnesota operation.

“You cannot alienate the first lady to the extent that she makes it an issue with the president,” Wolff explained.

“Almost everyone within the White House acknowledges this is a tripwire.”

He added: “Trump is not moved by normal political considerations, but he is moved by a p—ed-off wife.”

According to Wolff’s account, the president began softening his deportation strategy by the evening of Melania’s premiere. “The shooting of Alex Pretti is Saturday morning. Saturday evening is the screening of Melania,” he observed.

“During this period, Trump begins to shift his view.”

On Monday, Trump removed Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino from his Minneapolis post and tasked Border Czar Tom Homan with overseeing the matter.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who had previously described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” is now understood to be in a precarious position following a two-hour discussion with Trump.

Calls for her departure are virtually universal amongst Democrats, whilst even Republicans may now feel empowered to express their concerns, particularly given Trump summoned her to the Oval Office on Tuesday to address her management of the recent prominent killings of anti-ICE demonstrators.

Wolff additionally pointed to Melania’s earlier influence on immigration matters, recalling her intervention during Trump’s first administration regarding family separations at the border – a policy which was ultimately abandoned.