Politics

Nathan Wade defends workplace romance with Fani Willis during Trump case: ‘Grew organically’

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Social Links for Victor Nava
Published May 23, 2024, 12:24 a.m. ET

Ousted former Trump prosecutor Nathan Wade defended his workplace romance with Fani Willis on Wednesday — but acknowledged having conversations with the embattled Fulton County district attorney about how their relationship could affect “the sanctity” of their case against the former president. 

Wade, during an appearance on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” hosted by Joy Reid, was adamant that he had no personal or intimate relationship with Willis prior to being brought on the Trump case. 

“Our relationship was professional. Our relationship grew organically over time,” Wade said of the romance that blossomed between him and his boss-turned-lover as they prepared for the historic prosecution of the 77-year-old former president and his 18 co-defendants in a sprawling racketeering case. 

Nathan Wade appeared on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” hosted by Joy Reid, and was adamant that he had no personal or intimate relationship with Willis prior to being brought on the Trump case. 
Nathan Wade appeared on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” hosted by Joy Reid, and was adamant that he had no personal or intimate relationship with Willis prior to being brought on the Trump case.  Getty Images

“It was something that was not deliberate or intentional,” the former special prosecutor claimed. 

“I felt like we dealt with it in a manner that was professional. We kept our personal lives personal and private, and I still believe that it had no place in the courtroom, not now and not then,” Wade argued. 

The attorney revealed, however, that he and Willis, 52, did consider and discuss the risk that their fledgling relationship posed to the Trump case.

“She and I had conversations about that,” Wade said. “When we felt as though the relationship was going to a place that could potentially become an issue with our work, then we sat and we had a conversation and we did what was necessary to protect the sanctity of the case.” 

Both Wade and Willis contend that they ended their relationship in 2023. 

Willis speaks at a press conference next to Wade after a Grand Jury brought back indictments against former president Donald Trump and his allies in their attempt to overturn the state's 2020 election results, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 14, 2023.
Willis speaks at a press conference next to Wade after a Grand Jury brought back indictments against former president Donald Trump and his allies in their attempt to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 14, 2023. REUTERS

Their relationship appears to have ended on good terms, as the former special prosecutor was spotted Tuesday at Willis’ victory party in Atlanta after she defeated Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic Fulton County DA primary race. 

In February, Wade was forced to resign from the Trump case by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee because of the “odor of mendacity” created by his relationship with Willis. 

Wade argued Wednesday that the language McAfee used in his order was unfair. 

Both Wade and Fani Willis contend that they ended their relationship in 2023. 
Both Wade and Fani Willis contend that they ended their relationship in 2023.  The Washington Post via Getty Images

“I don’t think that it was necessary,” he said, arguing that the judge forced him off the case “just to prove a point.” 

“An odor of mendacity, in all fairness, could be – could come from a lack of understanding,” Wade argued. “We could have cultural differences.” 

“I may not understand why a certain culture does a certain thing, so it could be suspicious to me.”