Melania Trump has started to build her brand as First Lady, enlisting the help of a popular American model in her efforts to fight for female empowerment.

Mrs Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to thank Emily Ratajkowski after the American model and actress publicly slammed New York Times reporter Jacob Bernstein for calling the First Lady a “hooker”.

“Sat next to a journalist from the NYT last night who told me ‘Melania is a hooker’,” Ms Ratajkowski shared on Twitter.

“Whatever your politics it’s crucial to call this out for what it is: slut shaming. I don’t care about her nudes or sexual history and no one should.

“Gender specific attacks are disgusting sexist bulls***.”

Mrs Trump responded to Ms Ratajkowski’s tweets with her own, writing: “Applause to all women around the world who speak up, stand up and support other women!”

Applause to all women around the world who speak up, stand up and support other women! @emrata #PowerOfEveryWoman #PowerOfTheFirstLady

— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) February 14, 2017

She also added the hashtag, “#PowerOfTheFirstLady”.

This was the second time Mrs Trump used the hashtag in recent days.

“We are responsible for empowering our next generation with values #powerofeverychild #Powerofthefirstlady,” Mrs Trump wrote.

After Ms Ratajkowski’s tweets, Mr Bernstein spoke up and claimed his mistake in a post on Twitter in which he apologised “profusely”.

“I want to take ownership of a mistake I made,” Mr Bernstein wrote.

“Speaking at a party in what I thought was a personal conversation, I nevertheless made a stupid remark about the first lady.

“My editors have made it clear my behavior was not in keeping with the standards of the Times, and I agree. My mistake, referring to unfounded rumors, shouldn’t reflect on anyone else and I apologize profusely.”

This is a four part tweet. 1. I want to take ownership of a mistake I made.

— Jacob Bernstein (@BernsteinJacob) February 14, 2017

Mrs Trump last week revealed in court documents she hopes to become the “most photographed woman in the world” and build “multi-million dollar business relationships” while her husband Donald Trump is President of the United States.

The Slovenian-born former model filed the lawsuit against the tabloid Daily Mail after it published false claims that Mrs Trump had once worked as “an escort”.

Mrs Trump is seeking $US150 million in damages for the commercial harm done to her.

Ms Ratajkowski, who is an outspoken supporter of women’s rights and Planned Parenthood, voiced her support for Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders in the lead-up to the US election.

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A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)