In just a month, Melania Trump will again stand beside her husband at the US Capitol for his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. For the second time, this Slovenian-born former model will assume the role of First Lady, but she has hinted that this experience will be quite different from the last.
Speculation about the marital relationship between Donald and Melania Trump has persisted for years. Last year, Melania took a significant step by renegotiating her prenuptial agreement, just as a precaution. During her husband’s presidential campaign, Melania was largely absent until the final weeks, and a body language expert noted that she appeared less than enthused at the moment Donald Trump declared his electoral triumph.
Now, as we await their move back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the dynamics seem to be changing. Recently, as Donald and Melania visited the New York Stock Exchange to ring the bell, fans couldn’t help but notice something peculiar about the former and returning First Lady: a strange appearance of a ‘hole’ at the back of her head.
With the prospect of moving into the White House for a second term, reports have previously suggested that Melania was not particularly eager for a return. Yet, as the presidential run wrapped up, she publicly expressed her support for her husband.
This second term promises to be different for many reasons beyond just Melania’s role. Their son, Barron Trump, is now attending college at Stern Business School at New York University, making his home at Trump Tower instead of Washington. This arrangement suggests that Melania’s upcoming time as First Lady will not mirror her first term. Sources from People Magazine have suggested that it’s ‘unlikely’ she will reside full-time at the White House.
A close source to the Trump family explained, “If Melania becomes the first lady again, expectations would be there for her to move into the White House and take on her official responsibilities. However, she seems less inclined to relocate permanently to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
The source added, “She will have her private living apartment there and maintain her residence in New York, along with her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. She plans to spend her time across these locations.”
Donald Trump Offers Insight on Melania’s Plans
Mary Jordan, who wrote The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump, remarked to ABC, “She’s informed others, ‘I wasn’t elected.’ So, if she decides to spend time at Mar-a-Lago alone for a couple of weeks, she’ll do just that. But she will definitely be at the White House. She appreciates the ceremonial aspects.”
Kate Bennett, an ex-CNN White House correspondent and author of Free, Melania, echoed these sentiments, stating that Melania will likely alternate between living at the White House, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, and New York while continuing to support Barron.
“She has the freedom to choose how active she wants to be in the East Wing,” Bennett asserted.
The conversation around whether Melania Trump will reside full-time at the White House has reached high levels. Earlier this week, Time Magazine named Donald Trump as their Person of the Year. During a ‘victory interview’ with Time, the former and future president assured that Melania had been “very active” towards the close of the presidential campaign and would join him at the White House.
Donald Trump remarked, “Oh, indeed. Towards the end, she became very involved, as you saw with her interviews. People are genuinely interested in her. She is very much adored by the public,” he continued.
“People appreciate that she isn’t constantly in the limelight for numerous reasons. When I make speeches, the crowd holds signs declaring their love for our First Lady. She will be active when necessary.”
Melania’s Public Reappearance at the NYSE
Since the late 1990s, the marriage of Donald and Melania Trump has captivated attention. Melania’s absence beside Donald during most of the presidential campaign fueled rumors. On election night, as Trump claimed victory, body language experts analyzed Melania’s demeanor, suggesting she appeared less than thrilled.
“When Trump beckons Melania for a hug, her response is hesitant,” body language expert Stanton commented to the Mirror. “The interaction is awkward and lacks emotion. Her smile lacks authenticity, feeling instead like a gesture meant for the occasion.”
Darren Stanton elaborated: “Considering her husband’s electoral success, you’d expect more evident joy. Her expressions seem contrived, lacking genuine happiness. There’s always some awkwardness with Melania.”
Despite the speculation surrounding election night, Melania Trump called her husband’s victory
