Is there a new romance brewing for Donald Trump? This is the question that has gone viral in the last few days on social media as he was spotted planting a kiss on Kari Lake, former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and good buddy who seems to follow Trump around like an eager puppy from Mar-a-Lago, to Bedminster, to his campaign events.
Lake, who reportedly was hanging around Mar-a-Lago quite a bit in hopes of being named Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate, was at an event at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club. In the video, he’s surrounded by his voter base and a sea of smartphones that are recording his every move. That’s when Donald Trump leans in and Lake’s face suddenly appears as they give each other a rather awkward kiss and his lips land high on her cheekbone. Lake, the former news journalist made a “muah” sound as they exchanged their friendly affection, and she smiled as he backed away.
Last night at Bedminster. Honey, I’m home. pic.twitter.com/U99q1rumKX
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 20, 2023
The video sparked all kinds of gossip and speculation on Twitter, with accounts implying that “4th time is a charm,” and Lake would be his fourth wife (even though there are no rumors about an affair). References to Melania’s continued absence on the campaign trail abounded: “how much you want to bet…you know what I mean. If he hasn’t, it’s coming, but I think he did. Melania hasn’t been seen since tfg said she wanted nothing to do with him.” Another account added, “GRIFTERS UNITE.”
Kari Lake is a former television news anchor and a fringe conservative Republican politician who was the Republican nominee in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election. She has been one of the most avid in promoting the Big Lie, false claims of Trump winning the 2020 presidential election. She has even called for the imprisonment of those who accepted Trump’s defeat, including her Democratic opponent, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.
When Lake lost the gubernatorial election, she followed Trump’s own example and continued to claim she won.
How is Melania taking these rumors? Hard to say since she is pretty much invisible these days, but the former first lady has reportedly been annoyed by all of the headlines about Lake hanging around her husband. According to reporter Zach Petrizzo on The Daily Beast‘s podcast, The New Abnormal, it is something that really “ticks off” Melania, and Donald Trump has been walking on eggshells every time a new story appears.
One thing we can say, whether it’s because of her political ambitions or something more intimate and romantic going on, it seems like the Donald spends more time with Kari than with the shadowy Melania.
