I shit you not, Melania Trump has filed a lawsuit against The Daily Mail over a story that alleged that she once worked for an escort service.
Attorneys representing Melania says she's been denied a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to profit from being the first lady.
The suit — filed Monday in New York Supreme Court, a state trial court, in Manhattan — against Mail Media, the owner of the Daily Mail, said the article published by the Daily Mail and its online division last August caused Trump’s brand, Melania, to lose “significant value” as well as “major business opportunities that were otherwise available to her.” The suit said the article had damaged her “unique, once in a lifetime opportunity” to “launch a broad-based commercial brand.”
“These product categories would have included, among other things, apparel accessories, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, hair care, skin care and fragrance,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed on Trump’s behalf by California attorney Charles Harder.
Honestly, I forgot she was accused of working for an escort service. I suspect many people have forgotten, at least until now, because no one really cares.
On the list of reasons why people may not be interested in a Trump family brand, allegedly working for an escort service is probably near the bottom. The fact that her husband is a racist despot and her children look like serial killers undoubtedly weigh heavily on the minds of many shoppers.
Ivanka Trump's brand has cratered and she's never been accused of anything untoward. On the contrary, Ivanka has been the subject of many naive, glowing profiles and yet that hasn't helped her business.
Virtually everyone with an internet connection has probably seen Melania's Playboy photos, and no one really cares about that either. If anything, considering today's cultural environment where stars are born with racy Instagram photos, Melania's past may be a marketing boon, not a hindrance.
This lawsuit will do far more to harm Melania's personal brand than the original allegation.