Former First Lady Melania Trump is reportedly making preparations for a return to the White House, in a move that breaks with traditional expectations. She intends to divide her time between Washington D.C., New York City, and Palm Beach, Florida, rather than living full-time at the White House.
Melania has started the staffing process, enlisting John Rogers, an executive vice president at Goldman Sachs, to counsel her on personnel and ceremonial matters for the transition. Rogers had previously served as an advisor during her first term as First Lady.
Her unorthodox approach was first shown when she declined an invitation from First Lady Jill Biden to the traditional White House tea meeting, citing a scheduling conflict related to her upcoming memoir. Despite pressure from some members of the president-elect’s team, Mrs. Trump maintained her autonomy.
It’s reported that Melania Trump did not enjoy her previous tenure in the White House. During Donald Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, the couple maintained separate bedrooms.
Mrs. Trump’s previous term was characterized by her selective presence in the East Wing. She often chose to spend time in the family residence and received guests and VIPs in the “Map Room” near the elevator. Among her notable initiatives were significant modifications to ensure White House compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a contentious White House Rose Garden renovation.
It appears that Mrs. Trump’s primary concern is staying close to her son Barron, who is currently studying at New York University. “As much as Melania loves Mar-a-Lago and her life in Palm Beach, she will spend more time in New York with her son, who is more important to her than anything else,” stated sources familiar with her plans.
Despite maintaining a relatively low profile during the campaign season, Mrs. Trump’s social media posts have consistently conveyed a positive, hopeful outlook toward America’s future. However, she has made appearances at a handful of key campaign events throughout the year, while her husband has held multiple rallies.
During her previous term, the former First Lady launched the “Be Best” campaign against online bullying and championed the cause of children impacted by the opioid crisis. She also established a foundation to raise education funds for children in foster care.
Insiders suggest that Mrs. Trump will attend mandatory White House events, while balancing her personal schedule and preferences across her three chosen locations. This would represent a novel approach to the traditionally Washington, D.C.-centric role of the First Lady.
