Trump: Melania's life is 'not so easy'

President TrumpDonald John TrumpRosenstein expected to leave DOJ next month: reports Allies wary of Shanahan's assurances with looming presence of Trump States file lawsuit seeking to block Trump's national emergency declaration MORE said Saturday that first lady Melania TrumpMelania TrumpThe Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by Kidney Care Partners — Trump escalates border fight with emergency declaration Trump dismisses Ann Coulter after criticism: 'I hardly know her' The Hill's Morning Report — Presented by the American Academy of HIV Medicine — Trump, Congress prepare for new border wall fight MORE's life is "not so easy."

In his remarks at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, Trump said that his wife is a "great first lady."

"Great first lady. She's great," he said. "You think her life is so easy, folks? Not so easy."

He mentioned the first lady in the context of her role in his administration's work to combat the opioid crisis and discussing "blue ribbon" study committees. 

"We put Melania and other people on this blue ribbon committee," he said. "Do you think the drug dealers that kill thousands of people during their lifetime, do you think they care who is on a blue ribbon committee? The only way to solve the drug problem is through toughness. When you catch a drug dealer, you've got to put him away for a long time."

Trump went on to praise the practice of executing drug dealers, and confirmed reports that he had spoken with Singaporean officials about the policy.

The first couple's relationship has been under national scrutiny for months, following a report that President Trump had an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels soon after he married Melania Trump. 

At the Gridiron Club dinner last week, Trump joked about the high number of departures from his administration, saying that he wasn't sure who would leave next: "[Stephen] Miller or Melania."