The first spouse is not a government employee. Even the title First Lady (someday First Husband or Spouse) is just an honorific. She has not traded her life as wife of a billionaire. If anything, she has enhanced status and influence. But that kind of trashy book is hurtful no matter who you are and, in the US, there is no effective way to take it to court if you are deemed a “public” person. I have long thought our libel and slander laws were tilted too far against famous people.
Melania filed suit against the people claiming her son was mentally handicapped, and they shut up pretty quickly, IIRC.
I’d like to see this author sued, just like I’d like to see Gloria Allred and her daughter sued. Immediately. The truth has to get out of the starting block before the lie travels around the world twice, because people who hear the first report don’t always - or even often - hear the retraction. That’s part of the game. Sue this guy and Allred into a pauper’s prison, and maybe people will get the idea that things have changed.
But her days of going to the Walmart in pajamas are over. The Secret Service won’t let her do it.