Marla Maples
, ex-US President
Donald Trump
's former wife, expressed her willingness to assist the ex-president's 2024 campaign and even entertained the idea of being his running mate. Speaking to The Evening Standard, Maples, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday, said that the entire Trump family is backing his second presidential run.
"I'm ready.
I am available if needed and I'm not sitting back anymore," Maples said in her first interview in nearly a decade. She emphasised her desire to be more vocal and share her thoughts without fear of the consequences.
Despite the legal challenges faced by her ex-husband, Maples remains steadfast in her support. When questioned about the lawsuit filed by writer Jean E Carroll, which resulted in Trump being found liable for sex abuse and defamation, Maples maintained her belief in his innocence. "I do know my daughter's father well enough to know that he's never had to push himself on another person. He's always had women throw themselves on him instead," she asserted. "I don't believe there was a crime done."
Maples also downplayed the significance of Trump's guilty verdict in the Manhattan hush money trial, where he was convicted of concealing a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. She criticised the focus on "little sexy stories" and instead emphasised the need to address the country's pressing issues, such as public safety.
Sources indicated to The Evening Standard that Maples could envision herself as Trump's
vice president
, a position he is expected to announce in the coming week. When asked about this possibility, Maples laughed and said, "Someone would have to ask my ex-husband about that." She added, "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."
The couple's relationship began controversially when they met at a charity event in 1985 while Trump was still married to his first wife, Ivana. They eventually wed in 1993 but separated by May 1997, with Maples receiving a $2 million settlement in 1999. Despite their past disagreements, which Maples attributed to the challenges of marriage, especially when played out in the media, she has forgiven Trump.
In a 2018 appearance on NBC, Maples disclosed that she had advised Trump against running for president in the 1990s, citing the potential impact on their children, who were much younger at the time. However, the former couple appeared amicable and posed for photographs together at their daughter Tiffany's wedding in 2022.
English (US) ·