Donald Trump has defended his wife Melania in the face of strong criticism, saying she is “the highest quality you will ever find”.

The 46-year-old remained largely absent from public appearances in the first month of her husband’s presidency.

Instead of following her husband into the White House, Ms Trump has remained in New York where their son Barron goes to school.

Mr Trump insisted that his wife was "unfairly maligned".

US President Donald Trump and wife Melania dance at Liberty Ball

Speaking about her career as a model, he told a news conference that “she would go home at night and wouldn’t even want to go out with people. She was a very private person."

He added: “She was always the highest quality that you will ever find.”

His comments followed reports in the US media that Ms Trump was "miserable" in her new role as First Lady, where she faces increasing media scrutiny.

“This life wasn’t her dream. It was Donald’s,” her stylist told American gossip magazine Us Weekly.

Mr Trump said his wife was about to take a more active role in the White House, beginning work on “women’s issues”

“She – like others that she’s working with – feels very, very strongly about women’s issues, women’s difficulties," he said. “She’s a very, very strong advocate. I think she’s a great representative for this country.”

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Ms Trump was placed under intense scrutiny during the presidential campaign after a tape emerged of her husband making lewd comments about women.

She said at the time the language he used was "not acceptable", but dismissed the remarks as "boy talk".