Former First Lady Melania Trump decided to mark International Women’s Day by posting on social media. That led to a rebuke from her former friend and aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who served as “a special government employee” to Melania in Donald Trump’s nascent term as president.

Melania cut ties with her friend when news broke in February 2018 that Winston Wolkoff’s event planning company, WIS Media Partners, received a cool $26 million to help coordinate Trump’s inauguration, Newsweek reports.

I’ll admit it hurts when a friend drops you. I was friends with one person I’d gone to college with for 30+ years until she ended the friendship and it stung. What’s worse, is I never got the chance to catch up with her because she died during the COVID pandemic. So I’m hurt forever by this. Nothing I can do.

And Winston Wolkoff responded by writing the tell-all book Melania and Me in 2020, and it was the very definition of bombshell. In the book Winston Wolkoff claims the Trump administration used her as a scapegoat. She also denies claims that she personally pocketed $26 million.”

Earlier Friday Melania posted on X:

“On #InternationalWomensDay we celebrate extraordinary women & girls who defy expectations, shatter barriers, uphold distinction & leave a lasting impact. I applaud those who exhibit courage, stand firm in their beliefs, & strive for excellence. Let us remember that true greatness lies in embracing our unique selves & staying true to our values.”

On #InternationalWomensDay we celebrate extraordinary women & girls who defy expectations, shatter barriers, uphold distinction & leave a lasting impact. I applaud those who exhibit courage, stand firm in their beliefs, & strive for excellence. Let us remember that true greatness… pic.twitter.com/kvpvICffwX

— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) March 8, 2024

Winston Wolkoff then replied to Melania’s post, writing:

“A Woman who betrays other Women is not a Woman who Cares about or Celebrates Women.”

A Woman who betrays other Women is not a Woman who Cares about or Celebrates Women.

LISTEN 📼 to Melania Trump tell ME I was lucky they only lied and defamed me and that nothing worse happened.⏬ https://t.co/52obTqINnn pic.twitter.com/T6hJqsoCeJ

— Stephanie Winston Wolkoff (@SWinstonWolkoff) March 8, 2024

Melania’s former best friend also attached audio allegedly of a conversation between her and the then-first lady, adding”

“Listen to Melania Trump tell ME I was lucky they only lied and defamed me and that nothing worse happened.”

In the recording, we here Melania allegedly saying: “Don’t be so dramatic because you were not fired. This came to that because it’s politics and we cannot do anything about it. They will go after everybody and anything and if you stay here, they will even go maybe further down.”

Trump’s administration subsequently filed a lawsuit against Winston Wolkoff in October 2020. The complaint accused her breeching a nondisclosure agreement by publishing her book. The Biden administration dropped the lawsuit in February 2021.

This was a painful situation for Winston Wolkoff. Her former bestie really did betray her. Melania gracelessly dumped her friend, and all this really was to keep the focus off her husband, Donald Trump. I don’t think anyone can blame Winston Wolkoff for feeling hurt. It’s a painful catch in your heart that also hangs in the very back of your mind.

While her husband campaigns, Melania has pretty much been typical Melania. She’s keeping to herself, content in her own company and spending time with their son Barron, who will soon turn 18. She famously disliked being first lady, and she’s almost certainly not happy that she may have to do it all over again.

Lots of us aren’t thrilled by that scenario either.