I agree, this strikes me as classic “tag-teaming” for ratings.
Another reason why Trump may like to fool with his friends like this is that once you become president, the average person is intimidated, and gives you the Royal Treatment. You get treated as a figurehead, a symbol, not as a real multi-dimensional person. Donald wants people around him that help him stay grounded.
He’s not somebody from out of a movie, a comic book or a castle. He’s just Donald, who knows he’s not perfect or always right about every little thing. This is one reason he keeps his children close by, because they are supportive, but won’t treat him much differently than they always have. They are used to extreme wealth and his extreme bluster. They are not so easily thrown off by either trait.
Who knows? Maybe in private, Melania has a few not very complementary names she calls Donald in English even. And he let’s her get away with it. Better than being treated like your just a hologram. Not real.