Melania Trump presents a uncommon smile as she steps out in New York

Melania Trump has visited arguably New York’s most exclusive apartment building a day after her husband admitted his ‘hush money’ trial affected her.

The former first lady left Trump Tower alone on Saturday morning and traveled to 15 Central Park West in Manhattan with Secret Service agents in tow.

Melania stayed in the luxury building for about two-and-a-half hours, then returned in a motorcade of at least three black SUVs.

The 54-year-old wore a black blouse teamed with flared cream trousers and flat shoes, and carried a black Chanel clutch bag.

Melania beamed below her designer sunglasses as she left the building after her visit, and was assisted by agents who at one point carried her bag.

Fifteen Central Park West holds some of the most expensive homes in New York City with the main penthouse selling for $59 million in 2017.

That four-bedroom, five-bathroom ‘jewel of the crown’ has a dramatic 34-foot entry gallery with the living room, library, and master bedroom all facing Central Park.

Few are available to rent – as Donald Trump’s arch-nemesis Robert De Niro once did – but even the cheapest one on the market is $16,000 a month for a two-bedroom.

The whole building is worth well over $1 billion and even a wine cellar cost about $80,000 a decade ago. 

Celebrities, mega-rich hedge fund managers, models, and New York Yankee great Alex Rodriguez have all called the building home.

Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up ‘hush money’ payments to pornstar Stormy Daniels about their extramarital affair to prevent news of it derailing his election campaign. 

But his convictions could be in doubt after a Facebook post claimed jurors were discussing plans to find him guilty before delivering their verdict.

Judge Juan Merchan sparked speculation of potential mistrial when he sent a letter to the prosecution and defense attorneys about the post.

‘My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted [heart emoji] Thank you folks for all your had work!!!!’ it read.

Trump’s convictions seem to have only boosted his fundraising as a sellout campaign event in San Francisco raised $12 million on Thursday night.

Top tickets cost for $300 a head and $500 per couple, and VIP tickets went for $50,000, to be a member of the host committee.

Trump hosted another Californian event on Friday night, this time in Beverley Hills.

Supporters gathered outside one of the areas mansions as they enthusiastically waved Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by.

He returned the favor by waving back at those he could see from the entrance. 

Melania was barely seen outside Trump Tower during her husband’s trial, as details of his affair with pornstar Stormy Daniels were aired in court.

She reportedly didn’t even leave the building for almost two weeks before breaking cover on Tuesday evening for the first time since May 23.

Trump in an interview with Dr Phil McGraw said the trial took a toll on on his wife and admitted it impacted his son Barron as well.

He speculated each of them likely wanted to speak to him about the difficulties, but chose not to.

‘I have a wonderful wife. I mean, it’s not easy for her to read this kind of stuff, that’s fake. That’s totally that’s fake stuff,’ he told the TV host in their hour-long sit down interview from Mar-a-Lago.

‘But that’s the way it is. It certainly is not a good thing. And it affects me more than it would if it were just about me. I wish it could be just about me.’

Trump also hinted at the impact the trial and the constant political and legal combat had on her – revealing that it ‘wasn’t easy.’

It was his first extended interview since a Manhattan jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying financial records related to the hush money payments. 

When Dr Phil asked how the former first lady was holding up, Trump responded: ‘I think good,’ stretching out the word during his answer in a way that made the answer less than certain.

‘But I don’t think it’s an easy thing for her,’ he then allowed. ‘And I think if it wasn’t good, she wouldn’t want to tell me about it, to be honest with you. Because, you know, she sees that I’m fighting like hell.’

The former first lady notably did not attend Trump’s five week trial in Manhattan, instead keeping a low profile in Florida, even as a parade of supporters including family members, House members, and senators joined Trump in the courtroom.  

Trump also suggested the public attention is difficult for his son Barron, 18. 

As is his practice, he declined to reveal too much about his youngest child, and his only child with Melania, although he did give a hint about his college plans. 

‘He’s a good boy. He’s a tall boy – very tall. He’s very tall. And he’s a great kid. He’s good looking kid. And he’s going to be going to college.’

‘He doesn’t say because he doesn’t want to hurt me,’ Trump said. ‘And he thinks it’s a possibly a hurtful conversation. But it has to affect my family,’ he lamented.