'Reclusive First Lady' Melania "Likely to Decline Full Move into the White House"

"Wants to Spend Time with Youngest Son Baron"
Plans to Travel Between New York, Florida, and Washington D.C.

Melania, wife of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is expected to break a long-standing tradition by declining to fully move into the White House.

On the 13th (local time), CNN reported, citing sources, that Melania is likely to live a lifestyle commuting between New York, Florida, and Washington D.C. instead of settling in the White House. During Trump's first term, Melania also did not move into the White House immediately but stayed in New York for six months, marking another independent move that breaks the traditions of American politics.

Reuters Yonhap News

Melania's decision appears to be heavily influenced by her youngest son, Barron. Barron, who is 18 this year, is currently enrolled at New York University. Sources said Melania wants to stay close to Barron and is expected to spend a significant amount of time at Trump Tower in New York. Previously, when Melania became the First Lady, she delayed moving into the White House citing Barron's education, who was 10 years old at the time.

Melania is also expected to spend a lot of time in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump’s ultra-luxury resort Mar-a-Lago is located. Over the past four years, Melania has lived there and reportedly made many friends. However, she is expected to continue her activities as First Lady by attending major domestic and international events.

CNN also assessed that Melania’s independent approach has already begun. Recently, Melania declined an invitation from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to the White House, citing a prior commitment related to her memoir, drawing media attention. In the U.S., it is customary for the President and First Lady to invite the President-elect and spouse to the White House to discuss the transfer of power.

CNN analyzed that Melania’s decision signals her intention to spend her second term as First Lady with more autonomy. In a recent interview with Fox News, Melania said, "I have been in the White House before and know the lifestyle well," adding, "This time it will be different because I have more experience and knowledge."

During Trump’s first term, Melania was known as the "reclusive First Lady" because she rarely appeared in public. Apart from launching the 'Be Best' campaign in May 2018 to combat drug abuse and online hate and discrimination against children, she seldom left the White House. Even at the Republican National Convention in July, where Trump was officially nominated as the presidential candidate, she appeared on site but did not take the stage.

A source familiar with the matter explained that Melania prefers to quietly advise her husband (President-elect Trump) personally rather than appearing in public, and there is little opposition to this within the Trump camp.