Melania Trump Gets Dragged For Selling 'Shoddy' $245 Necklaces Amid Husband's Hush Money Trial

Melania Trump popped up on social media over the weekend, but not to support her husband, Donald Trump, amid his ongoing criminal trial.

The former First Lady was actually online to advertise her signature gold vermeil pendant piece for Mother's Day. However, the post wasn't well received by people online, who criticized the quality and her timing.

Melania's post on X (formerly Twitter) was for a $245 "Love & Gratitude" necklace she's selling for Mother's Day.

The "Love & Gratitude" chain and pendant set are gold vermeil pieces, which means they are silver plated with usually 10-karat gold.

It comes with Melania's signature stamped across one side of the pendant and customizable text for the other side.

Melania captioned her post: "Let's honor and celebrate all mothers with love and gratitude." Buyers also get a "digital collectible" when they purchase the necklace.

Melania's post wasn't well received by people on X, with many commenting about the timing as her husband Trump's criminal trial heats up.

Netizens also criticized the necklace itself, with one comment reading, "There's no more precious a gift than one with some other lady's name engraved on it."

"'Let’s grift & look like we care.’ Insult a mom with cheap & shoddy gold-coloured metal. Sorted! (Well Trumper needs to pay his lawyers)," another wrote.

A third person commented, "Wait. Is a former First Lady of the United States using her name for straight up selling jewelry on the internet? No proceeds to charity? Not for the campaign? Just …for her profit?"

One X user slammed Melania's timing in selling the necklace.

"We never hear from Melania, not that I'm complaining, until it's time for her to sell something for profit," the person commented. "Is she donating the revenue to a women's shelter or charity? Of course not, she's grifting off Mother's Day, $245 dollar necklace, and it's disgusting."

Another individual claimed her post was an attempt to "distract" people from the opening statements in her husband's criminal trial.

They wrote, "What is this scheme to distract US from tomorrow's opening arguments in the first ever criminal trial of a former president? We are not falling for it and we are not amused. Plus it looks ugly and cheap."

A lot of the complaints stem from Melania's absence from most of Trump's public and political events since he lost his re-election bid to President Joe Biden. She's also made an effort to be absent from all of his ongoing legal proceedings and court appearances.

According to ABC News, Melania has only attended two of Trump's events on his campaign trail. She made an appearance at a fundraiser where the Republican party allegedly raised $50 million for the Trump Presidential campaign. Melania was also seen at a polling station where she and Trump voted in the Republican Party's primaries.

The few statements Melania made before the necklace post were mostly holiday messages and ad posts for ornaments, jewelry, and NFTs.

Trump's criminal trial, the first-ever of a former U.S. president, began last week Monday with jury selection. After finding a 12-person jury (with six alternates), it kicked off today with opening statements.

Attorneys for the prosecution and defense delivered opening statements in the morning after a break, and David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, was called as the first witness for the prosecution in the case.

Pecker's testimony was halted due to the Passover holiday and an alternate juror's dentist appointment. Court then decided to adjourn for the day, and the jury will resume their duties tomorrow morning to finish hearing Pecker's testimony.

In the trial, Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He's accused of trying to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment allegedly made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump has been accused of having an affair with Daniels and trying to pay her off ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Amid speculations that Melania could be called forward to testify in her husband's case, a criminal defense attorney has weighed in, claiming it could be beneficial for Trump.

According to Newsweek, Mark Bederow, a former Manhattan prosecutor, said the former first lady's testimony would be useful for her embattled husband.

Bederow that Melania's testimony is "potentially very powerful" and could be used to Trump's advantage, adding, "There's no question that Melania is the most important family member to be there."

"Certainly, if Melania were there supporting him, that potentially sends a message that 'I support him, I'm OK, I believe, perhaps, this didn't happen,'" Bederow said. "I think that can only have a positive impact on the jury."