More Challenges Emerge for the Golf Course of Donald Trump, Where His Late Ex-Wife Ivana Rests
Donald Trump’s prestigious golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, is thrust into the spotlight once again, but this time, it’s not linked to the memories of the ex-president’s late first wife, Ivana. A former employee of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, where Ivana was laid to rest in 2022, has filed a lawsuit against the club, alleging sexual harassment by her former manager, Pavel Melichar, and coercion into signing an unlawful non-disclosure agreement (NDA) orchestrated by Trump’s current attorney, Alina Habba. (queerty.com)
In her lawsuit, Alice Bianco recounts being instructed by Melichar to wear “very short uniform skirts” when she was 21, with the manager, approximately 30 years her senior, pressuring her into having sex for “protection” and job security. When Bianco rejected his advances, she claims he retaliated by subjecting her to “unfair job assignments” and permitting mistreatment by colleagues, including the theft of her tips. (instagram.com) A distressing revelation emerges when Bianco learns of another employee facing similar treatment, prompting her to expose the “toxic and sexist work environment” in a letter to Trump’s personal staff.
Enter Alina Habba, who, at the time, was a member of the Bedminster club and not formally working for Trump. Allegedly striking up a friendship with Bianco, Habba sent her emoji-filled texts, encouraging her to fire her lawyer and offering free legal advice, including pushing for a lowball settlement in exchange for signing an NDA drafted by Habba’s law firm. In a chilling encounter, Habba warned Bianco against selling her story to the media, all while sitting in a car in the club parking lot near Ivana’s gravesite on a hot summer day.
“I didn’t know my rights,” Bianco admits, reflecting on the situation. “I didn’t know Alina wasn’t supposed to discuss a case with me without my lawyer. I didn’t know New Jersey had banned non-disclosure agreements for victims of sexual harassment.” She expresses feeling betrayed by someone she believed was a friend and advisor.
The plot thickens as it’s revealed that Trump hired Habba as his personal attorney just weeks later. Bianco’s lawyer, Nancy Erika Smith, accuses Habba of unethically silencing Bianco to elevate herself into Trump’s inner circle, manipulating her into an agreement favorable to Trump for a fraction of the typical settlement for such claims.
In a statement, Habba, not named in the case, denies malicious intent, asserting she always conducts herself ethically. ( 🔗 Speech Filled with Falsehoods: Joe Biden Faces Disruption in Charleston ) Melichar, also not named in the case, remains silent when asked for comment.
Bianco, seeking no additional monetary damages, emphasizes through her attorney that the lawsuit is about “giving her her voice back.” Nancy Erika Smith condemns the victimization of survivors and the subsequent silencing, stating, “It’s outrageous to be victimized and then be told you can’t talk about it.” (t.co)
The unfolding narrative sheds light on the unsettling dynamics within Trump’s golf club, intertwining allegations of harassment, coercion, and the insidious use of NDAs. As the legal battle unfolds, the emotional toll on Bianco and the broader implications for accountability and transparency in such high-profile cases demand the attention of a politically mature American audience. ( 📈 Judges’ Inquiry Erupts Courtroom Leaving Trump Startled )
