Of all the cases Donald Trump is defending against, the hush money case is seen as the least damaging to impede his ambitions for a second presidential term.
But the case is reportedly top-tier for former First Lady Melania Trump.
"This is very personal to him," said Stephanie Grisham, who served under the 45th president as White House press secretary and appeared on CNN's "Out Front." "This is an embarrassment to him for with his family and more importantly, with his wife Melania."
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Grisham, who also served as Melania's chief of staff, explained that the reality of a trial spearheaded by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over 34 count criminal case accusing Trump of doctoring financial business records weeks before the 2016 election to mask hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels is a source of great influx for his family.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and, barring a delay, the trial is set to begin on Monday.
"I spent a ton of time with her when the news was breaking about Stormy Daniels when we were in the White House. And then of course with Karen McDougal, who was the former Playboy playmate; when those came out that he allegedly had these affairs and she didn't take it lightly at all."
She recalled the Don being in the doghouse with his other half.
"We went to the State of the Union separately," Grisham said. "She refused to walk out to Marine One with him because she did not want to be like Hillary Clinton and standing by her man."
A searing snap taken back in 1998 had the former first family — President Bill Clinton, Hillary, and Chelsea holding hands as they walked to a helicopter on the South Lawn shortly after he was accused of philandering with a White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Grisham describes Melania as a "very independent and strong woman" and may also be the former president's "secret weapon for this for this upcoming campaign."
So given her experience behind-the-scenes with the Trumps, she believes there is an aggressive push by Melania to postpone this case at all costs.
"I imagine that she is pushing him to make this stop," she said.
And should he fail that, then Trump better sing about his faithfulness as a husband.
"I would imagine that she will push him to go on the stand and defend himself because this is this is very, very embarrassing for her."
"It's humiliating for her and I can guarantee you that she's not happy right now and that he's quite worried about that."
