First lady Melania Trump returns to White House after four-week absence from Washington
US first lady Melania Trump made her first appearance in the White House on Saturday after a month away from Washington.
She returned to the White House for the annual governors’ dinner and reception.
“She worked very hard on making sure that everything was beautiful. And she’s very good at that,” President Donald Trump remarked in the East Room, while his wife sat at a nearby table adorned with white hydrangeas and tulips, CNN reported.
Although Melania Trump is overseeing White House preparations for public tours, she has shown limited interest in residing there.Since January 20, when her husband took office, she has spent minimal time at the White House, according to sources familiar with her schedule. Following a January 24 visit to disaster-affected areas in North Carolina and California, she hadn’t returned until Saturday.
The first lady was anticipated to divide her time between New York, where Barron attends university, and Florida. Sources close to her indicated she would attend significant events like Saturday’s ball and maintain her own agenda as first lady.
Her month-long absence suggests an even more limited presence in Washington than initially expected, marking an unprecedented arrangement for a first family. Her office declined to comment on her location.
In a January 13 Fox News interview with Ainsley Earhardt, she stated her intention to be at the White House whilst travelling to New York and Palm Beach as needed, emphasising her priorities as mother, first lady and wife.
The president has frequently visited Florida since taking office, whilst Melania has been notably absent from various diplomatic meetings, executive order signings and significant events. She hasn’t undertaken any solo official travel, contrasting with her previous term’s activities.
Sources indicate she prefers to avoid public involvement in her husband’s second term’s daily operations, though she remains an influential adviser. Her early-term activities suggested a possible shift towards increased visibility.
Following the November 2024 election, she secured an Amazon documentary deal. The director, Brett Ratner, accompanied the first couple on January 24, documenting their visits to disaster-affected areas. However, she departed separately to Florida afterwards.
Her next public appearance was Saturday’s event, where she entered the East Room alongside her husband, both formally attired. During her absence, she maintained some public presence through a new official portrait and staff interviews in “Hello! Magazine”.
She has assembled a small East Wing team and may expand her previous “Be Best” initiative. Her photographer, Regine Mahaux, told Hello! that Melania appears “more free” and “different than eight years ago”, whilst remaining authentic.
