Melania Trump persuaded Donald Trump to delay his first Muslim travel ban, according to an account of a 2017 White House conversation shared by Harvey during a television discussion.
Harvey said he visited the Oval Office in February 2017, the day after Mr Trump delivered his first speech to Congress. The address had been measured and well received, he recalled, giving the president a degree of goodwill.
According to Harvey, Melania Trump warned her husband not to immediately impose the controversial restrictions and told him he should not “f*** it up”. Mr Trump reportedly agreed with her and said he would hold off for at least two weeks.
The exchange was presented as an indication that the former first lady had the president’s attention, at least on that occasion. Harvey said Mr Trump had told him directly that Melania had convinced him to delay the travel ban.
The account has resurfaced amid claims that Melania Trump also objected to her husband’s more recent immigration crackdown after people she knew were deported.
In that instance, Mr Trump reportedly listened to her concerns and blamed adviser Stephen Miller for going too far, suggesting that Melania Trump’s views may carry more weight with the president than is publicly recognised.
