Melania Trump defies tradition to arrive alone at speech

First Lady Melania Trump broke with long-standing tradition when she arrived at her husband's State of the Union address alone.

Her office told reporters it was because she was accompanying White House special guests of honour.

But it has heightened speculation of a rift between her and President Donald Trump.

They have not been seen together since a report that he paid a porn star to keep quiet about their alleged affair.

Mr Trump denies an affair ever took place, but claims that he had paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£107,000) to remain silent over the alleged year-long extramarital liaison infuriated Mrs Trump, US media say.

Both Barack Obama and George W Bush arrived with their wives for each State of the Union address they delivered as did President Trump last year in his first speech to Congress.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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