Melania Trump ‘Doesn’t Expect to Be Full-Time’ in D.C., Sources Say

Former First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly signaled that she has no plans to assume a full-time role in Washington, D.C., even if her husband, former President Donald Trump, returns to the White House. According to CNN’s Kristen Holmes, close sources suggest that Melania will “buck tradition” and likely skip a meeting with current First Lady Jill Biden, a customary courtesy extended between outgoing and incoming First Ladies.

During a discussion with Pamela Brown on CNN, Holmes explained that Melania had informed both the White House and her husband’s team that she has a “prior engagement related to her book,” titled Melania, which was released on October 8. This engagement, according to Holmes, was the main reason Melania opted out of the Wednesday meeting with First Lady Biden. However, Holmes also speculated that there is still a slight possibility that the former First Lady could “change her mind” and attend, as some of those close to Donald Trump would like her to be more involved.

Holmes suggested that the former First Lady’s recent appearance at the funeral of Rosalynn Carter might have been an attempt to avoid any negative media narratives that could have arisen if she had not attended the event. Holmes said, “Part of the reason she attended Rosalynn Carter’s funeral was because she did not want the media narrative that she was not attending.”

Melania Trump’s reluctance to participate in her husband’s potential return to Washington and her distance from his 2024 campaign have been evident, according to Holmes. “She appeared three times total in the span of two years,” Holmes noted. “One was at his announcement, the second at Madison Square Garden, where she made brief remarks, and the third was standing on the stage on election night.” The limited number of appearances, Holmes stated, aligns with Melania’s desire to avoid the spotlight.

The former First Lady’s low profile has even extended to key campaign moments, such as Donald Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden, where her absence was particularly noticeable. Holmes commented on this, saying, “Everybody else from the family was there, everybody’s family was there. That is a key moment in the campaign to have the first debate, and she was nowhere to be seen.”

As speculation grows about what her potential role could look like if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, Holmes suggests that Melania’s involvement might be minimal. “There’s a lot of speculation — and I have heard from a lot of sources — they don’t expect her to be full-time [in Washington D.C.],” Holmes stated. “They insist she will be there for state dinners, big meetings, but she will not set up a full-time residency.”

Rather than relocating fully to Washington, D.C., Melania is expected to divide her time primarily between New York and Palm Beach, according to the sources Holmes cited. “I am also told that they are looking at possibilities of her splitting her time mostly between New York and Palm Beach,” Holmes added.

While Melania’s approach contrasts sharply with her predecessors, it reflects a continuation of her private, low-profile style during Donald Trump’s first term. Although she took on some ceremonial duties as First Lady, her presence in the political sphere has always been limited, and it seems she intends to maintain this level of separation should she find herself back in the White House.