Former First Lady Melania Trump is preparing for a potential return to the White House with a significant departure from tradition. Sources indicate she plans to split her time between Washington D.C., New York City, and Palm Beach, Florida, rather than residing full-time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The former First Lady has already begun staffing preparations, enlisting John Rogers, an executive vice president at Goldman Sachs, to advise her on personnel and ceremonial matters during the transition. Rogers previously served as an adviser during her first term as First Lady.
Mrs. Trump’s first signal of her unconventional approach came with her decision to decline First Lady Jill Biden’s invitation to the traditional White House tea meeting, citing a scheduling conflict related to her new memoir. While some members of the president-elect’s team pushed for her attendance, Mrs. Trump maintained her independence.
Sources indicate that Melania Trump did not find her previous tenure in the White House enjoyable. During Donald Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, the couple occupied separate bedrooms.
During her previous tenure, Mrs. Trump was known for her selective presence in the East Wing. She often preferred to spend time in the family residence and meet guests and VIPs in the “Map Room” near the elevator. Her notable projects included extensive renovations to make the White House compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a controversial White House Rose Garden revamp.
Mrs. Trump’s primary focus appears to be remaining close to her son Barron, who is currently attending 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,” said sources familiar with her plans.
While maintaining a relatively low profile during the campaign season, Mrs. Trump’s social media posts have “struck a positive, hopeful tone about America’s future.” However, she has appeared at only a few key campaign moments throughout the year, even as her husband held numerous rallies.
The former First Lady’s previous initiatives included the “Be Best” campaign against online bullying and advocacy for children affected by the opioid crisis. She has also started a foundation that raises education funds for children in foster care.
Sources close to Mrs. Trump indicate she will attend required White House functions while maintaining her schedule and lifestyle preferences between the three locations. This arrangement would mark an unprecedented approach to the role of First Lady, traditionally centered in Washington, D.C.