Recently, the internet was abuzz with speculation: Did Melania Trump file for divorce from Donald Trump? The rumor spread like wildfire, suggesting that the former First Lady decided to end her nearly two-decade-long marriage. The claim quickly gained traction, especially after it was shared by a retired whistleblower, Rebekah Jones, on X.
Did Melania Trump File for Divorce?
Despite the widespread rumors, there is no truth to the claim that Melania Trump filed for divorce. No credible news outlets have reported on this matter, and there is no record of such a filing in Palm Beach County, as was falsely claimed. Even Rebekah Jones herself admitted later that the story was a complete fabrication, created as part of an “experiment” to see how quickly disinformation spreads on social media.
The Origin of the Rumor
On September 1, Rebekah Jones posted a picture of an alleged Newsweek article that supposedly reported Melania Trump’s divorce filing. The article was titled “Melania Trump e-files for divorce as Trump campaign tanks, sentencing looms.” Although shocking, this claim was quickly debunked. It turns out that the alleged Newsweek article was nothing more than a fabricated piece of misinformation.
The Truth Behind the Claim
Not long after the rumor gained attention, Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist at BBC Verify, stepped in to clarify the situation. He pointed out that the screenshot of the Newsweek article was digitally altered. The original tweet, dated back to December 2019, had nothing to do with divorce. Instead, it focused on a different issue entirely, making it clear that the current claims were baseless.
The Impact of Disinformation
Jones’s experiment highlights a troubling aspect of modern social media: the rapid spread of false information. In this case, the fake news about Melania Trump’s divorce quickly gained momentum despite being entirely unfounded. This situation serves as a reminder to approach sensational claims skeptically and seek out verified information from reputable sources before jumping to conclusions.
Past Speculation About the Trump Marriage
This isn’t the first time rumors of a divorce between Melania and Donald Trump have circulated. In 2021, similar speculation arose when Melania deleted several posts featuring her husband from her social media accounts. More recently, in September 2023, Page Six reported that Melania was allegedly negotiating a new postnuptial agreement, leading to further rumors about the state of their marriage.
Melania Trump’s Public Absence
Adding fuel to the fire, Melania Trump’s absence from the public eye during her husband’s ongoing presidential campaign has raised eyebrows. She has largely stayed out of the spotlight since leaving the White House in 2021, fueling further speculation about the state of their relationship. However, her public statements and occasional appearances suggest that she remains by Donald Trump’s side, despite the persistent rumors.
Donald Trump’s Previous Marriages and Divorce Experiences
Donald Trump’s history with marriage and divorce adds another layer to the ongoing speculation. Having been divorced twice before, Trump has openly described the process as “vicious” and “pure hell” in his 2007 book Think Big and Kick As.* He has also spoken candidly about the challenges of prenuptial agreements, referring to them as a “hard, painful, ugly tool” in a 2006 interview with New York Magazine. Despite these past experiences, no confirmed evidence exists that Melania Trump is seeking to end their marriage.