At the time of writing, no credible news outlet has tracked down Meredith McIver.

Mr Trump, normally so keen to show off his “beautiful ladies”, has kept this ghost writer hauntingly silent.

There is growing speculation that the name is simply an alias, a fictional name for the Trump campaign to hide behind as Republicans and Democrats alike are furious that the potential First Lady has fluffed her first major appearance.

Is this another of Mr Trump’s scams, surrounding himself with make believe friends?