As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, incoming First Lady Melania Trump plans to divide her time between New York City, Palm Beach, Florida, and Washington, D.C., significantly departing traditional First Lady roles.
Mrs. Trump intends to reside primarily at Trump Tower in New York City and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, aiming to remain close to her son Barron, who attends New York University. This arrangement is unprecedented, as no previous First Lady has chosen to live separately from the White House during her husband’s presidency.
Sources close to Mrs. Trump indicate that “this time is different,” suggesting she will adopt a more autonomous approach to her role as First Lady. Over the past four years, she has cultivated a substantial social circle and lifestyle in Florida, which she plans to maintain during her husband’s second term.
While some observers have speculated that these unconventional living arrangements might reflect tensions in the Trumps’ marriage, no substantial evidence supports this claim. Notably, Melania Trump has expressed satisfaction with their relationship dynamics, stating that she is “not a nagging wife” and that their passive relationship suits them both.
Recently, Mrs. Trump’s office declined an invitation from First Lady Jill Biden for tea at the White House, citing scheduling conflicts due to her ongoing book tour. In a statement, her office asserted that “several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information” regarding Mrs. Trump.
Despite her unconventional living arrangements, Mrs. Trump is expected to maintain an official presence at major White House events and ceremonies. She has expressed interest in reviving her “Be Best” platform and potentially expanding it to include new initiatives, though specific details have not been disclosed.
Mrs. Trump was willing to break from traditional First Lady protocols during her first term. Notably, she delayed her move to the White House in 2017 to allow Barron to complete his school year in New York. She often arrived at official events separately from her husband, including the 2018 State of the Union address.
Mrs. Trump’s team emphasizes that she enters this second term with increased experience and knowledge of the role. She plans to continue serving as a key advisor to her husband, offering counsel during significant moments while maintaining her independence and preferred lifestyle.