Donald Trump speaks out about toll of NY trial, conviction on wife, son

There has been much speculation in recent months about Melania Trump's silence about and absence from her husband's Manhattan criminal trial, and now that a conviction has occurred, the former president is speaking out about his wife's recent experiences.

During a far-reaching interview with Dr. Phil McGraw, Trump said that the jury's guilty finding on 34 felony counts has not been “an easy thing for her” while also emphasizing her resilience and strength, as Newsweek reports.

Trump's take

A clip from the sit-down between Trump and McGraw was posted to the former president's Truth Social platform last week, and in it, the television self-help guru inquired about the former first lady's current state of mind.

McGraw asked how Mrs. Trump was “holding up through all this,” a question to which the presumptive GOP nominee replied, “I think good.”

“But I don't think it's an easy thing for her, and I think if it wasn't good, she wouldn't want to tell me about it, to be honest,” Trump added.

Seeming to reference his wife's selfless nature and her desire not to add to his current challenges, Trump went on, “She sees that I'm fighting like hell. I'm trying to become president and make America great again.”

“That's what we're going to do -- we're going to make America great again,” Trump continued, with a palpable sense of optimism and determination.

Praising Barron

Trump also engaged with McGraw about the impact the trial -- and the eventual conviction -- has had on his 18-year-old son, Barron.

As the Daily Mail notes, the former president signaled that the entire experience has been tough for his son to navigate but praised his maturity and compassion.

“He's a good boy. He's a tall boy -- very tall. He's very tall. And he's a great kid. He's a good-looking kid. And he's going to be going to college,” Trump said proudly.

Barron has not, according to the former president, broached the subject of the New York trial outcome, suggesting that “he doesn't say because he doesn't want to hurt me. And he thinks it's a possibly a hurtful conversation.”

In the end, Trump offered an encouraging view toward the future that he hopes will include another term in office, telling McGraw -- and the nation as a whole -- “I think you'll be proud of the job we do.”