Melania Trump Used Rosalynn Carter's Funeral as a 'Cat Walk'—Former Aide

Melania Trump's decision to wear a gray coat to Rosalynn Carter's funeral was divisive—and now her former senior adviser has said she used the moment as a "cat walk."

Former President Jimmy Carter honored his late wife Rosalynn Carter at a tribute service on Tuesday in Atlanta, after she died at the age of 96 on November 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia.

Melania Trump joined former President Bill Clinton and past first ladies Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, as well President and first lady Joe and Jill Biden, to pay respects to Rosalynn Carter at her memorial service.

As the five first ladies gathered, Melania Trump stood out from the crowd wearing light gray in a sea of mostly black dresses and jackets. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, an American fashion and entertainment executive and former senior adviser to Melania Trump, said the former first lady was using the moment as a "photo op."

Wolkoff was once one of Melania Trump's closest confidantes, but her relationship with the former first lady's family deteriorated after a New York Times story detailed controversies about inauguration spending. In 2018, she unceremoniously departed from the White House.

Newsweek reached out to a representative for Trump via email and Wolkoff via social media for comment on Wednesday.

"Melania Trump knew every time she made a public appearance, 'a picture would be worth a thousand words,'" she posted to X, formerly Twitter.

"In Melania's case, the picture would have to do all the talking. This time is no different! Melania made this service a photo op for herself, instead of handling her appearance with dignity and humility, she used it as a cat walk.

"Rosalynn Carter, is a national treasure who exemplified a life of humanitarian service with a spirit of generosity, dignity and compassion for all of God's children. May she rest in peace."

In screenshots that she shared alongside the post, Wolkoff highlighted the fact that Melania Trump often wears black for such occasions.

People have had different reactions to the outfit choice, with many commenting on Wolkoff's post to share their thoughts.

"She is the female version of Trump. They deserve each other. But We deserve better! VOTE!" one person wrote.

"Rosalynn wanted her there in solidarity for all living first ladies. I can hardly believe Melania cared about that. She showboated 100% and made it about herself," commented another.

"Melania is the antithesis of Rosalynn Carter," said a third.

However, others didn't believe it was such a big deal.

"I don't understand the fuss over a grey coat. She was wearing a black dress, which is appropriate. I get it if she was wearing a bright color but gray. I don't know, seems like there are bigger things to worry about," someone commented.

"I doubt [Rosalynn] Carter would approve of your tweet," said another.

This is one of the very few public appearances that Melania Trump has made in recent months as she has been noticeably absent during Donald Trump's multiple court appearances and recent campaign stops. Her whereabouts were even a source of questions by news anchor Megyn Kelly, who sat down with the former president in a September interview.

Melania did make an appearance at a Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's Palm Beach, Florida, estate, in October. She was photographed at the party alongside her husband in their first public appearance together in seven months.