First lady experts say that if Donald Trump wins another term in 2024, his wife Melania likely will not return to the White House.
They speculate that the former first lady will split her time between the Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach and New York City, especially now that her son Barron, 18, is believed to be attending New York University. .
Melania will likely only return to Washington, DC for ceremonial responsibilities (such as state dinners) or other special events.
This is a huge break with centuries of tradition and an unprecedented move by a first lady to not live with her husband in the presidential residence.
“She is further distancing herself from her husband and the social political scene in Washington,” Kate Andersen Brower, who has written several books about first ladies, told Axios of Melania’s possible future moves.
“I mean, she clearly hated being in Washington,” he added.
East Wing insiders speculate that Melania Trump will not return to the White House full-time if her husband Donald wins another term in November.
Sightings of Melania remain rare since the Trumps left the White House in 2021.
She was largely absent during her husband’s hush money trial in Manhattan, and days later left Trump Tower with luggage and Barron in tow.
If Trump wins in November, insiders are pointing out that Americans shouldn’t expect to see the model-turned-first lady return to the East Wing or make any more appearances in DC.
Barron, Trump’s youngest son, will also likely not return to the White House as he plans to attend college in the fall.
Washington Post associate editor Mary Jordan, author of a book about Melania, says, “Melania does what Melania wants.”
“His point of view is not to be elected or paid,” Jordan he told axiosadding that this makes her “stand out in history among any other first lady.”
Melania has also avoided making frequent appearances at the 2024 campaign trial, only sometimes participating in private events.
Next month, the former first lady will host the conservative LGBT group Log Cabin Republicans for a fundraiser at her and Donald’s Trump Tower residence in New York City.
Reports indicate she plans to stay away from DC and move closer to her 18-year-old son Barron (right) amid rumors he may attend New York University.
If another Trump term comes to fruition next year, Jordan speculates that Melania would ensure she has a bigger, “better,” and “more qualified” staff this time around.
“Now that she has seen how this works, she would be wiser, more vocal and more demanding about what the first lady’s office should receive,” he added.
“Stay tuned,” Melania said last month when asked if Americans could expect to see more of her on the campaign trail soon.