When Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of running for president in 1999, his ex-wife Marla Maples made it clear she would spill the beans on her ex-husband if he were to make it to the general election.
“If he is really serious about being president and runs in the general election next year, I will not be silent,” Maples told London Telegraph. “I will feel it is my duty as an American citizen to tell the people what he is really like.”
The reaction from Trump and his attorney was swift and brutal. They launched a full-court effort in the press to discredit Maples and withheld an alimony payment to “send a message.” The episode illustrates how Trump uses character assassination and threats to quash any opposition. Maples has largely remained silent on Trump’s 2016 candidacy...
Trump, who the Daily News reported was enraged by Maples’ comments, said he wouldn’t pay the remaining $1.5 million of his alimony, the balance of the pair’s divorce settlement which was due that week.
“We notified the court that we are not paying and that we are putting the check in an escrow account,” Trump’s lawyer said to the Daily News. Maples’ lawyer, William Beslow, said the payment was overdue and that Maples “respects the privacy of her marriage.” They also hit back at Trump’s team for going after her.
“One has to ask, ‘Why now are Mr. Trump’s representatives maligning Ms. Maples?’ and the truth is clear,” Beslow stated. “They’re hoping to discredit Ms. Maples, so that if she chooses to say anything in the future, Mr. Trump can shrug it off as the words of an angry person whose intelligence should be questioned...”
Jennifer Bretan, a spokeswoman for Maples, blasted Trump to the Post.
“It’s the sign of real insecurity that Donald Trump feels the need to authorize his mouthpiece to strike out against an ex-wife who he has basically been holding financially hostage. ”
Meanwhile, Maples’ lawyer, Beslow, took a last shot at Trump. “Ms. Maples left Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump did not leave Ms. Maples,” Beslow said.
