Being first family was going to be a business venture for the Trumps.
Melania Trump Sues Mail Online for $150 Million
By
Jef Feeley
February 7, 2017, 11:49 PM GMT+2 Updated on February 8, 2017, 4:51 AM GMT+2
- First Lady sues UK publisher for hurting business prospects
- Ex-White House ethics counsel calls actions ‘clear violation’
First Lady Melania Trump is suing a British newspaper, saying a defamatory article it later retracted deprived her of the chance to launch a lucrative brand of clothing, shoes, jewelry and perfume.
The $150 million
suit against the publisher of the Daily Mail accused the London tabloid of causing "tremendous harm" to her reputation and making it almost impossible to take advantage of “major business opportunities” available “for a multi-year term during which plaintiff is one of the most photographed women in the world.”
President Donald Trump’s spouse says she has a “unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to “launch a broad-based commercial brand in multiple product categories.” Melania Trump also claims she could have sold "apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, hair care, skin care and fragrance."
Ethical Conflicts
Filed in state court in Manhattan on Monday after being
dismissed by a Maryland judge last week, the complaint prompted questions anew about whether President
Donald Trump and his family understand the ethical
conflicts created by mixing public service with commercial opportunities.
“The suit makes clear she believes she was damaged because she can’t make as much money off her position as First Lady,” said Richard Painter, who served as White House ethics counsel under President George W. Bush. “It’s a clear violation of the standards of professional conduct for federal employees to have a president allowing his wife to benefit financially from his office.”