NYT Report on Melania's Whereabouts Draws Attention
"Melania's Whereabouts, the Most Sensitive Topic"
"Spending Weeks in New York and Palm Beach"
An article titled 'The Most Sensitive Topic in the White House: Where Is Melania?' has become a hot topic.
On May 7 (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported, "During the 108 days since Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States, First Lady Melania Trump has spent less than 14 days at the White House," adding, "Her whereabouts have become the most sensitive topic in the White House." The NYT stated, "The White House residence for the First Lady remains dark, with the shutters closed, because Melania does not live in Washington, DC," and claimed, "She often spends weeks at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, or at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida."
According to the NYT, staff employed in the East Wing of the White House, where the First Lady's office is located, do report to work, but it is known that Melania rarely comes to the office. One source told the NYT, "Even the estimate that Melania has spent 14 days at the White House is very generous," adding, "It is also not easy to spot her at the Mar-a-Lago residence." Catherine Jellison, a professor at Ohio University, commented, "Melania is the most invisible First Lady since Bess Truman (wife of former President Harry Truman)," noting, "That was nearly 80 years ago."
In fact, after the inauguration on January 20, Melania made a few appearances at White House events, but since then, she has only appeared at a handful of events. These include the funeral of Pope Francis held this month, last month's White House 'Easter Egg Roll,' and the 'International Women of Courage Award' ceremony held at the State Department. It has also been reported that she will not accompany President Trump on his Middle East tour from May 13 to 16. The NYT, citing acquaintances familiar with the couple, claimed, "The trial related to President Trump’s efforts to suppress allegations of an affair with an adult film actress has been particularly difficult for the couple."
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are attending the funeral mass of Pope Francis held on the 26th of last month. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In a Fox News interview this January, Melania revealed her current residence. When the host asked, "Where do you mainly live?at the White House in Washington, DC, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, or in New York where your college-aged son Barron lives?" she replied, "I think I will be at the White House. I have already packed to move to the White House." However, she added, "If I need to be in New York, I will be in New York, and if I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. But my top priorities are being a mother, being the First Lady, and being a wife."
During President Trump's first term, she rarely appeared in public, earning her the nickname "the reclusive First Lady." Additionally, her decision not to move into the White House immediately after Trump's inauguration in 2017 fueled rumors of discord between the couple. Melania stated, "Even during the first term, I always felt like myself," adding, "I don't think people accepted me at the time. They did not understand me as they do now, and there were not many who supported me." She continued, "I do not always agree with what my husband (Trump) says or does," and added, "Sometimes I give him advice. He may or may not listen to me, but that is fine."
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