Melania hiding away while Donald Trump plans next presidential run

She earned the reputation as America’s most private first lady – and since leaving the White House, the world has barely seen Melania Trump.

Former US first lady Melania Trump has only been spotted a handful of times since her husband lost the presidency, and sources say she has “no interest in returning to the White House”.

Ms Trump has only been seen once during the just-ended American summer – leaving Trump Tower with her son in New York, CNN reported.

The publication also said sources close to the former first lady said she had no intention in bolstering her husband’s political ambitions, or any desire to return to the White House.

“Being first lady again is not what she wants,” one person said. “For her, it was a chapter – and it’s over, and that’s that.”

Donald and Melania Trump. Picture: Alex Edelman/AFP

That view is at odds with those of her husband, former US president Donald Trump, who is considering a run at the 2024 presidential election.

Mr Trump has appeared at political rallies, media interviews and hinted about running as a Republican candidate since leaving the White House after only serving one term as president.

Supporters pose for photographs with cardboard cutouts the former president and first lady in the southern US state of Alabama. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Another person close to the former model said: “You’re not going to see her at rallies or campaign events, even if he ‘officially’ says he’s running again.”

Her absence doean’t come as much of a surprise.

During his presidency, his wife only took part in five on-camera interviews and was not interviewed at all by a print publication.

Donald Trump arrives with wife Melania to a dinner hosted by Trump for Republican National Committee donors on in April this year. Picture: Instagram

Indeed, at political rallies, it has become common for the former president to simply pass on his absent wife’s well wishes.

During his address at February’s Conservative Political Action Conference, the former president passed along greetings, saying Melania, “says hello” and that she “loves you as much as I love you”.

Again in June at a rally in North Carolina, he told the crowd his wife “sends her regards”.

Mrs. Melania Trump is announcing the opening of The Office of Melania Trump. Please follow this account for news and updates.

— Office of Melania Trump (@OfficeofMelania) February 12, 2021

In February, the former first lady announced the opening of her office via a tweet.

“Mrs Melania Trump is announcing the opening of The Office of Melania Trump. Please follow this account for news and updates,” it said.

Since then, the account has been a string of throwbacks and thank yous.