President Donald Trump has taken on a number of ceremonial and domestic roles traditionally reserved for the First Lady, as Melania Trump remains largely absent from the White House during his second term. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the president has personally overseen redecorating efforts, White House event planning, and design changes including controversial alterations to the Rose Garden.
Melania Trump, who has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since her husband's return to office in January, has opted for what she previously described as a "divided lifestyle." Ahead of the inauguration, she said, "I will be in the White House. And you know, 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."
Her minimal presence in Washington has left the president to handle details like selecting light fixtures and hosting receptions-roles typically filled by the First Lady. "She's not the one carefully selecting light fixtures for the White House residence... He is," journalist Shawn McCreesh reported, citing individuals familiar with the president's schedule.
The president has made notable changes to the decor at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, including the return of his Diet Coke button and a significant increase in gold embellishments. Trump is also reportedly considering adding a ballroom and paving over part of the Rose Garden to resemble the patio at Mar-a-Lago. The latter proposal has prompted tension with the First Lady, who restored the garden in 2020 during their first term. Sources say Melania objected to the paving plans, though she was assured that the rose bushes would remain untouched.
Melania's absence from official functions has also drawn attention. She did attend the White House Easter Egg Roll and appeared at the State Department's International Women of Courage Awards, but has otherwise remained out of the public eye. Her low profile stands in contrast to her husband's active involvement in East Wing affairs, including greeting tour groups and managing reception logistics.
Despite speculation, the president has defended his wife's privacy. "She's a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much," Trump said in an interview with Meet the Press. "She'll be - at the appropriate time - she'll be out there."
Melania Trump has recently engaged in independent ventures, including the launch of her own cryptocurrency and participation in an Amazon documentary about her life. A source close to the First Lady said she is "very selective and methodical in what she wants to do and how she presents herself."
