Ivana Trump Denies Former Husband, Donald Trump, Raped Her; Wishes Him Luck With Presidential Campaign

Ivana Trump, the first wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, denied a report that she accused him of rape. Trump’s top adviser, Michael Cohen, meanwhile, apologized for his comments while defending Trump against the rape accusation.

Trump’s former wife referred to a story published Monday and called it “without merit.” She said that she had “nothing but fondness” for her ex-husband as she wished him the best of luck with his presidential campaign.

“Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised three children that we love and are very proud of,” CNN quoted Ivana as saying, “Incidentally, I think he would make an incredible president,” she added. Her comments have been verified by the Trump campaign as well.

The Daily Beast reported Monday that Ivana had once used the term “rape” while discussing an incident involving Trump and her in 1989. It added that Trump’s former wife said that she had felt “violated” during the incident.

Politico reported that the 1993 book “Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump” did mention the term “rape” involving Trump and his former wife. Former Newsweek reporter Harry Hurt III wrote that Trump had raped Ivana in retaliation for a painful surgery performed on him by her plastic surgeon.

Cohen defended Trump and replied that it was not possible to rape one’s spouse. The Politico story called this statement "false" since marital rape is illegal all 50 states of the country.

Cohen later apologized for his comment. He said that he had made an “inarticulate comment” in his moment of “shock and anger.” He added that he did not believe in the comment he had made and apologized for making it.