Melania Trump snubs Donald as he returns to New York to face arrest

Former first lady Melania Trump was noticeably absent from her husband’s side as he surrendered himself to authorities in New York.

Former US first lady Melania Trump was noticeably absent from her husband’s side as he surrendered himself to authorities in New York to face charges related to “hush money” payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Former first daughter Ivanka Trump was also a no-show for the media circus, as her father became the first former US president in history to face criminal charges.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, having been indicted by a grand jury in New York. He attended a Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon, local time, where he was booked and arraigned while pro-Trump and anti-Trump camps clashed in bizarre scenes outside.

“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the courthouse. Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America,” Mr Trump posted on social media en route to the courthouse.

The former US president travelled to New York from his residence in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, on Monday afternoon, and spent the night at Trump Tower in Manhattan.

Donald Trump arrives at the courtroom. Picture: Ed Jones/AFP

Mr Trump faces criminal charges. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

He was accompanied on his private jet by his son Eric Trump and an entourage which included senior campaign adviser Jason Miller, spokesman Steve Cheung, former White House aide Dan Scavino, and lawyer Boris Epshteyn, according to The New York Times.

Speaking on MSNBC, Mr Trump’s niece Mary Trump said both wife Melania and daughter Ivanka were trying to distance themselves from the billionaire’s legal woes.

“I understand that Melania and Donald very publicly had dinner together the night of the indictment announcement,” she said.

“But I don’t think that Ivanka or Melania are going to want to be very involved in this. Neither one of them will be vocal about it, and I think Ivanka made her choice a long time ago to go her separate way. She understands that her future does not lie with remaining connected to her father, either personally, publicly or politically.”

Last week, Ivanka Trump posted an Instagram message in support of her father as the indictment was announced.

“I love my father, and I love my country,” she wrote. “Today, I am pained for both. I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.”

Melania Trump was noticeably absent. Picture: Alex Edelman/AFP

The former First Lady is lying low. Picture: Alon Skuy/AFP

It came after sources close to the Trump family told the New York Post last month that Melania, Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were all steering clear of the drama.

While Mr Trump was reportedly in “high spirits” over the media attention, a source said his wife “wants to be away from it”.

“She wants to protect [their 17-year-old son] Barron,” they said.

“Melania is lying very low. She hasn’t been coming out for the dinners and events at Mar-a-Lago. He is acting like everything is normal, but she hasn’t been social.”

Similarly, Mr Trump’s daughter and son-in-law “want nothing to do with this”.

“They are staying away and don’t want to be hounded by reporters,” a source said. “I don’t think you will see them defending him – it will be no comment. Ivanka lost a lot of friends and her social scenes during his presidency … They want to put it in the rearview. They want it behind them.”

Another source told the New York Post the couple are “happy building their life in Miami”.

The Post reported in November that Mr Trump begged the pair, who have three children together, to join his campaign team.

Mr Trump denied he asked them on social media, claiming he wanted to shield them – who previously worked with him extensively in the White House – from the “mean and nasty” world of politics.

Originally published as Melania Trump snubs Donald as he returns to New York to face arrest