Ivana Trump Slams Melania Trump, Claims She’s the “Real” First Lady

Donald Trump’s ex-wife Ivana Trump has sparked a feud with FLOTUS Melania Trump by jokingly referring to herself as “the real First Lady.” The Czech-American businesswoman and former model was married to the President from 1977 until 1992. The former couple has three children together, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump.

While promoting her new book, Raising Trump — which is ostensibly about her life as a mother — she has been discussing the First Family, and in particular Donald’s relationship with Melania. She suggested on Good Morning America that the First Lady probably wouldn’t like living in Washington DC, and that although she has a private line to the President, she doesn’t use it in fear of making Melania jealous. “I [don’t] really want to call him there because Melania is there,” she said. “And I don’t want to cause any kind of jealousy or something like that because I’m basically first Trump wife. OK? I’m first lady.”

Donald, Melania, and Ivana Trump in 2000. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Her comments haven’t gone down well with Melania, whose press secretary issued a scathing statement in response. “Mrs. Trump has made the White House a home for [her son, Barron Trump], and The President. She loves living in Washington, DC and is honored by her role as First Lady of the United States. She plans to use her title and role to help children, not sell books. There is clearly no substance to this statement from an ex. Unfortunately only attention seeking and self-serving noise,” the message read.

The two had previously shared a good relationship and were pictured together during the early days of Melania’s romance with Donald. Ivana’s real barbed comments are reserved for Marla Marples, who Donald left her for in 1992 after having an affair. She has referred to her as “no one” and a “showgirl.”

This post was written by Rebecca Cope. It originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.