Melania Trump applauded model and actress Emily Ratajkowski on Monday after Ratajkowski said she defended the first lady when a New York Times reporter called her a "hooker" at a Fashion Week party.
Ratajkowski tweeted Monday, "Sat next to a journalist from the NYT last night who told me 'Melania is a hooker.' Whatever your politics it's crucial to call this out for what it is: slut shaming. I don’t care about her nudes or sexual history and no one should."
Ratajkowski added, “Gender specific attacks are disgusting sexist bulls—.”
She then retweeted "Bravo" about a post from another Twitter user that reiterated the first lady’s sexuality should be unconnected with the execution of her White House duties and that being a sex worker "can be a personal, valid choice."
Trump responded with a tweet of her own on the @FLOTUS handle, saying, “Applause to all women around the world who speak up, stand up and support other women!” She tagged Ratajkowski’s Twitter handle, @emrata, in her tweet.
The New York Times said in a statement it had reprimanded the reporter.
“At a party last night, a Times reporter who does not cover Washington or politics, referred to an unfounded rumor regarding Melania Trump. The comment was not intended to be public, but it was nonetheless completely inappropriate and should not have occurred. Editors have talked to the reporter in question about the lapse,” the NYT said, according to the New York Daily News.
A $150 million defamation suit against the Daily Mail is currently pending after the outlet published a story in September claiming Melania was a paid escort before meeting and marrying Donald Trump.
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