US election: Ivanka Trump wears mask while Melania Trump goes without at ceremony

The First Lady has previously been accused of using her fashion to make a statement – and now it seems Ivanka may be sending a message too.

Melania Trump has stepped out without a mask for her first event since US President Donald Trump lost the election – while his daughter Ivanka has opted to wear a face covering.

Mrs Trump appeared alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. on Wednesday to lay a wreath for Veterans Day.

The First Lady was dressed sombrely for the event in a black and white tweed coat with dark edging, wearing her hair down.

She and the President opted not to wear masks at the event, as did Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen.

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US First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrive for a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for Veterans Day. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

The decision to attend without a face covering was in start contrast to president-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill, who both donned masks for a Veterans Day service in Philadelphia.

Even Mr Trump’s own daughter Ivanka wore a mask, with the senior White House adviser opting for a floral design.

It’s a surprising choice for Ivanka, who has in the past opted to not wear a mask like her father in what is seen by many as an increasingly political statement about coronavirus.

Ivanka wore a wide-brimmed black felt hat that shielded her face from the rain as well as a grey suit and black leather gloves.

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Like her husband Melania Trump rarely wears a mask. Picture: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

But in a surprise move Ivanka Trump wore a face covering for the event. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

Neither Mr Trump nor any of the White House party made a public statement at the remembrance service, despite growing media reports about the administration.

As the President continues to tweet unsubstantiated claims that he should have won the election, his daughter is said to be privately urging him to concede to Mr Biden as she considers her own political future.

“Ivanka has her own agenda. She’s has had her eyes on the desk behind the Oval Office since day one and she’s not about to burn any bridges by mouthing off like Don Jr who keeps lashing out on Twitter,” a source told DailyMail.com.

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden both wore masks at their Veterans Day service. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

“Everything she puts out is calculated and well thought out because she’s always looking at the big picture.”

Meanwhile Mrs Trump is standing firm with her husband and according to US media reports hasn’t reached out to incoming first lady Dr Biden as per tradition.

A source familiar with the First Lady told CNN it was “business as usual” in the East Wing and she is yet to contact Dr Biden.

“I’m not sure it’s fair for anyone to expect them to start transitioning when the President has not yet conceded,” the source said.

“If the President concedes, I’m sure the East Wing will be gracious and professional to the incoming administration; that’s just how they work.”