The role of the First Lady has traditionally included much more than ceremonial duties. From supporting national initiatives to being a steady presence at the White House, the first lady is expected to help the president both symbolically and practically as the country’s leading hostess and a key public figure. But Melania Trump has always approached the position differently—and sources say her latest time in the White House reflects just that.
According to a recent report by The New York Times, Melania Trump has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20, 2025. Two sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that even that figure might be “generous.”
The Times quoted historian and first lady expert Katherine Jellison, who said, “We haven’t seen such a low-profile first lady since Bess Truman, and that’s going way back in living human memory, nearly 80 years ago.”
While Melania has made a few appearances during her husband’s second term, they’ve been rare. Just yesterday, she made one of her rare public appearances, attending a White House event honoring the late Barbara Bush. On Thursday, May 8, Melania welcomed reporters and guests to the East Room of the White House for the unveiling of a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating the former first lady, who would have turned 100 this June.
In recent months, she has also appeared beside President Trump at Pope Francis’s funeral—a day before her 55th birthday—and during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. Yet, for the most part, she’s remained largely out of the spotlight.
Her absence isn't entirely new. During President Trump’s first term, Melania famously stayed behind at Trump Tower in Manhattan to avoid disrupting their son Barron’s school schedule. And ahead of her husband's second term, she made it clear that she would divide her time between the White House, their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and New York City as Barron began his freshman year at NYU.
In a January 13 interview with Fox & Friends, she said: “I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife.”
Unlike more politically involved first ladies such as Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, Melania has consistently taken a more private approach to the role. Her most notable political appearances during the Trump presidency include speeches at both the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions. Her brief appearance at the 2024 GOP convention marked one of the few times she publicly supported her husband during the campaign.
Melania was noticeably absent from President Trump’s many court appearances, including his recent five-week-long criminal hush money trial. She reemerged recently in a series of Fox News interviews and cryptic social media posts promoting her upcoming memoir, Melania.
Melania & Donald today at an event for military moms ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/pUex7hf223
— Keeping Up With The Trumps (@KUWTTRUMPS) May 8, 2025
According to a recent report by The New York Times, Melania Trump has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since President Donald Trump returned to office on January 20, 2025. Two sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that even that figure might be “generous.”
The Times quoted historian and first lady expert Katherine Jellison, who said, “We haven’t seen such a low-profile first lady since Bess Truman, and that’s going way back in living human memory, nearly 80 years ago.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFV93sLSnqq/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DFV93sLSnqq/
While Melania has made a few appearances during her husband’s second term, they’ve been rare. Just yesterday, she made one of her rare public appearances, attending a White House event honoring the late Barbara Bush. On Thursday, May 8, Melania welcomed reporters and guests to the East Room of the White House for the unveiling of a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating the former first lady, who would have turned 100 this June.
In recent months, she has also appeared beside President Trump at Pope Francis’s funeral—a day before her 55th birthday—and during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. Yet, for the most part, she’s remained largely out of the spotlight.
Her absence isn't entirely new. During President Trump’s first term, Melania famously stayed behind at Trump Tower in Manhattan to avoid disrupting their son Barron’s school schedule. And ahead of her husband's second term, she made it clear that she would divide her time between the White House, their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and New York City as Barron began his freshman year at NYU.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr8pViHrNW-/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr8pViHrNW-/
cIn a January 13 interview with Fox & Friends, she said: “I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife.”
Unlike more politically involved first ladies such as Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, Melania has consistently taken a more private approach to the role. Her most notable political appearances during the Trump presidency include speeches at both the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions. Her brief appearance at the 2024 GOP convention marked one of the few times she publicly supported her husband during the campaign.
Melania was noticeably absent from President Trump’s many court appearances, including his recent five-week-long criminal hush money trial. She reemerged recently in a series of Fox News interviews and cryptic social media posts promoting her upcoming memoir, Melania.
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