US elections 2024. CNN about Melania Trump's presence in the White House

The American news station CNN points out, citing multiple sources, that discussions are ongoing about how and where he will spend his time Melania Trump during her time as first lady.

One of her first official decisions is to skip the traditional and symbolic meeting with the outgoing first lady Jill Biden in the White House when President Joe Biden hosted President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office. “After Jill Biden extended the invitation, there was discussion about the future first lady's attendance, and members of Donald Trump's team made it clear that it was important that (Melania Trump) attend the meeting,” CNN reported.

Sources for the American station cited an earlier conflict in Melania Trump's schedule related to her obligations regarding the publication of her book. “The event signals that Melania Trump, who has spent her first four years in office redefining her role, indicates that she will have even more autonomy the second time around,” CNN reported.

– I'm not worried because it's different this time. I have much more experience and much more knowledge. I've already been to the White House, Trump said in a recent interview with Fox News.

Melania is expected to spend most of her time not in the White House, but between New York and Palm Beach, Florida, sources tell CNN. It was added that, however, it was insisted that Melania be present at the most important events and, as first lady, have her own agenda and priorities.

CNN recalls that during his first presidential term Donald Trump he spent winter weekends at Mar-a-Lago and summer weekends at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and it's expected to be the same this time around.

The station also noted that after the 2016 election, Melania Trump delayed her move to Washington, deciding to move to the White House a few months after the inauguration, only after her 10-year-old son Barron finished the school year. “The prospect of the first lady resigning from permanent residence in the White House sets a precedent, but should not be surprising to those who have been following Melania Trump for a long time,” the station noted.

– He's got a clean slate. She can be as active on the East Wing or as inactive as she wants, commented Kate Bennett, former CNN White House correspondent who covered Melania Trump's first term and author of the book “Free Melania.”

Melania Trump's future plans are reflected in the degree of her involvement in her husband's election campaign compared to her participation in the previous two campaigns. “She was largely absent this time, attending only the event during which Donald Trump announced he was running for re-election,” CNN points out.

Melania Trump was also present at Donald Trump's October rally at Madison Square Garden and on election night in West Palm Beach. The station, citing its sources, reported that Melania prefers not to engage publicly, and there are no objections among the president-elect's entourage.