India, Aug. 24 -- Melania Trump's public role is faced with a new rumor after former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews claimed the first lady was largely absent during Donald Trump's first administration.

During an appearance on the On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella podcast hosted by MeidasTouch, Matthews alleged that Melania was paid to attend campaign events.

Matthews served on Trump's 2020 campaign and later as deputy White House press secretary. She resigned from the latter post after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Matthew's claimed that during her tenure at the White House she never met Melania despite working closely with the administration.

"When I was working on the campaign for a year and then at the White ...