Melania Trump has remained largely out of the spotlight since Inauguration Day, a noticeable contrast to her husband, President Donald Trump, who has made headlines daily. While she accompanied him on a trip to Los Angeles to meet with wildfire victims—where she was widely praised for her interactions—she has otherwise kept a low profile, leading many to wonder about her whereabouts and her role in this second tenure as First Lady.
From the beginning, Melania made it clear that her approach to the role this time would be different. Unlike traditional First Ladies, she would not be residing at the White House full-time. Instead, she planned to split her time between Washington, New York, and Palm Beach, prioritizing her role as a mother to Barron, who recently started his studies at Stern Business School at New York University. In an interview with Fox News, she reaffirmed her dedication to balancing her duties, stating, “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. But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife. And once we are in on January 20, you serve the country.”
Despite her clear intentions, Melania’s absence from major White House events has fueled speculation. She was present on Election Day and Inauguration Day, but beyond that, she has not been seen at several key moments. When President Trump hosted world leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Melania was noticeably absent. Additionally, she was not present when Trump signed executive orders in the Oval Office or when he welcomed championship-winning women’s sports teams.
Melania, who has embraced her American identity while holding onto her Slovenian roots, was widely commended for her compassionate approach during her visit to Los Angeles. A viral clip showed her speaking Slovenian to a wildfire victim, and social media quickly praised her warmth and grace. “Seeing Melania so much more involved this time around is amazing,” one user commented. Another wrote, “When we speak to people in their native tongue, they feel heard, they feel listened to, they feel the love! What an incredible First Lady.”
Though Melania did not attend the Super Bowl with her husband in New Orleans, reports indicate she has spent considerable time in Florida since Trump assumed office. Meanwhile, her absence from Washington has been partially explained by a new endeavor—filming a documentary about her life. According to a political source speaking with People Magazine, Melania’s time away from the spotlight is intentional. “This should not come as a surprise because this is how she lives,” the source said. “She will never be a traditional First Lady and has her own ideas on what she wants to do.”
Amazon confirmed in early January that a documentary about Melania was in production, with a theatrical release set for later this year. The film will be followed by a documentary series, with reports suggesting a licensing deal worth $40 million. Filming began in December 2024, and the project aims to offer a behind-the-scenes look at her life. “Prime Video will be sharing more details on the project as filming progresses and release plans are finalized,” Amazon stated. “We are excited to share this truly unique story with our millions of customers around the world.”
In an interview on Fox & Friends, Melania spoke about the project, explaining that after the success of her memoir, she felt the public would be interested in seeing more of her life. “I had an idea to make a movie, to make a film about my life. My life is incredible. It’s incredibly busy, and I told my agent I have this idea, so please go out and make a deal for me. We started the production in November, and we are shooting right now. So it’s a day-to-day life. What I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have—people don’t really know, and they will see it.”
She also discussed the process of moving into the White House for a second time, highlighting the differences from her first experience. “I have the plans, I could move in, I already packed, I already selected the furniture that needs to go in, so it’s a very different transition this time, second time around,” she said. “What happened is on January 20, the transition team has only five hours to move Bidens out and to move us in, so everything needs to be planned to the minute.”
Reflecting on her first tenure as First Lady, Melania acknowledged the initial resistance she faced. “Maybe some people see me as just the wife of the president, but I’m standing on my own two feet, independent. I have my own thoughts, I have my own yes and no. I don’t always agree with what my husband is saying or doing, and that’s okay,” she said. She added that she felt she had not been fully accepted or understood in her first term and was determined to approach this new chapter differently.
Although she has spent much time away from Washington, Melania has made some recent appearances at official events. Last weekend, she attended the Governors Ball at the White House, marking a rare public sighting. According to a People Magazine source, Melania has been spending time between Mar-a-Lago and the White House but has not been present for official First Lady duties. “Donald and Melania both live at Mar-a-Lago and have quarters in the White House,” the source stated. “But she leads her own life and joins him when appropriate in either place.” While in Florida, she reportedly keeps to herself, though she occasionally accompanies Trump to dinner.
One of Melania’s main initiatives as First Lady has been her Be Best campaign, which focuses on helping children fight bullying and promoting mental health awareness. She hopes to expand its reach in the coming years, despite feeling unsupported during her first term. “I didn’t have much support from anyone,” she shared. “I invited all of the streaming platforms to the White House. I had the roundtable, and I didn’t have much support from them. And imagine what we could do in those years if they will rally behind me and teach the children and protect them about social media and their mental health.”
Beyond her campaign work, Melania is also rumored to be focusing on an unexpected task—improving her husband’s diet. Known for his love of fast food, Trump may soon face a shift in his eating habits. A PageSix report suggested that Melania, with the help of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is working to encourage healthier food choices. “RFK Jr. and Melania are ‘ganging up’ on the President-elect to eat in a more healthy way. Think fewer Big Macs and less KFC, and more lean protein, salad, and veggies for energy and to improve his overall well-being,” a source claimed.
Another insider noted that Melania has even taken to cooking meals herself in an effort to encourage Trump to make better dietary choices. “Melania famously watches every bite she takes… She has also guided their son’s eating habits since he was a toddler. Mar-a-Lago members say they spot her heading to the spa, working out, and having regular skincare and hair treatments,” the source added. However, a Trump associate countered this claim, saying, “Nonsense! Trump eats whatever he wants.”
As speculation continues about Melania’s role and visibility as First Lady, it remains clear that she is approaching the position on her own terms. While she may not fit the traditional mold, she continues to carve her own path, balancing her responsibilities to her family with her unique approach to public service.
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