Will Donald Trump sit in the White House in the evenings without his wife in the future? That could happen. It is unclear whether the future First Lady Melania Trump will permanently move into the government headquarters in Washington. The fact that the question even arises is unusual and speaks volumes about the relationship between Donald and Melania Trump. As much as the former and next US president likes to break with political conventions, the way his wife approaches her role is just as idiosyncratic. The world is bracing for chaotic years in the Republican’s second term. And what can we expect from Melania Trump in her second round as presidential wife?
Only part-time in the White House?
The television station CNN recently reported, citing those around her, that it was unlikely that Melania Trump would live permanently in the White House during her husband’s second term in office. Rather, she will spend most of her time commuting between the Trump estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York, where their son Barron is studying. However, Melania Trump will be present at important events in the White House and will also set her own tone as First Lady, the report said. There are currently no official announcements from the 54-year-old herself.
During Trump’s first term in office, Melania Trump only moved into the White House a few months late. At the time, she waited until Barron finished the school year. Speculation that this time they won’t really move into the government headquarters and will only be there part-time is attracting attention – and questions from the future president.
If necessary
When asked whether his wife would be at his side in the White House during the new term, the 78-year-old gave a somewhat unsteady answer in an interview with Time magazine: “Oh yes, she was, she was very , she became very active toward the end.” It remained unclear whether he meant the end of his first term in office or the final phase of his election campaign. Trump added: “She will be active when she has to be – when she has to be.”
A few weeks ago she obviously didn’t “have to” according to this definition. When Trump was welcomed to the White House by Democratic incumbent Joe Biden in mid-November shortly after his election victory, his wife did not come with him. Melania Trump turned down an invitation from outgoing First Lady Jill Biden and stayed away from the symbolic appointment in Washington – because of other commitments, according to the official statement. In a statement from her office she said she wished her husband every success. Some observers saw this decision as a foreshadowing that she could become even more rare as First Lady in the next few years than she was the first time around.
No role in the election campaign
Melania Trump hardly appeared at all in the election campaign. Unlike usual, she did not give a speech at the big coronation Republican party convention in the summer. She also took part in almost no other campaign events, let alone did solo events for her husband. For many months, Melania Trump only occasionally appeared at her husband’s side or at least briefly joined him on stage for a photo. And on these few occasions it seemed a bit awkward when the two greeted each other with kisses left and right. The couple doesn’t seem particularly intimate.
Teleshopping on breakfast television
Instead, Melania Trump has recently been very active in promoting her memoirs. The book with the short title “Melania”, which does not provide very deep insights into her inner life, has become a bestseller. The future first lady appeared several times on US breakfast television for a mix of interviews and teleshopping to praise the book, as well as jewelry and Christmas tree decorations. “It’s a great gift and a great collector’s item,” the ex-model enthused about a necklace from her collection.
During one of the appearances, she was asked if she was eager to become first lady again. “I’m not afraid because this time it’s different,” she replied. “I have a lot more experience, a lot more knowledge. I’ve been to the White House before.” So she knows exactly what to expect and who to bring into her team. That didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.
The style in round one
During Trump’s first term in office (2017 to 2021), his wife set herself apart from other first ladies. Although she attended a lot of prestigious events back then, she only made a few substantive statements of her own and rather made headlines with her fashion decisions and her Christmas decorations in the White House. A solo trip to Africa by the then First Lady, for example, was remembered primarily as a series of pictures of various outfits and poses: with a black and white Panama hat in front of pyramids in Egypt, with a tropical hat on a safari in Kenya and other outfits, the critics heavily reminiscent of colonial rule in Africa.
Melania Trump also used the time since leaving the White House less than other first ladies to use her celebrity for charitable purposes. Those in the know told US media that Melania Trump primarily cared for her son Barron, surrounded herself with a small circle of family, friends and her stylist and enjoyed her privacy. But she made herself rare in public at that time. Now she’ll soon be back in the spotlight – whether she wants to or not.
