India, May 16 -- Journalist and author Michael Wolff has claimed that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are essentially "separated," citing her extended absences from the White House.

Appearing on The Daily Beast podcast Tuesday, Wolff responded to reports that Melania has spent fewer than two weeks at the White House since Trump's second inauguration on January 20.

"They clearly do not in any way inhabit a marriage as we define marriage," Wolff said, suggesting further, "I think maybe we can more specifically say they live separate lives. They are separated. The President of the United States and the First Lady are separated."

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung slammed Wolff in a statement to The Indep...