Melania Trump will be ‘part-time first lady’, according to ‘Mar-a-Lago insider’

If you are hoping to see more of Melania Trump then think again, with a Mar-a-Lago source hinting the former model will be a first lady “only on her terms”.

Melania Trump will apparently be a “part time first lady” when President-elect Donald Trump takes over the White House.

The 54-year-old former model will split her time between New York, Florida and Washington DC “so she can be the hands-on mother to Barron that she is,” according to the New York Post, citing an unnamed ‘Mar-a-Lago insider’.

“Melania will be the first lady, but only on her terms,” according to the source.
“She’ll do the big events. But no ladies’ tea and no – or very few – interviews.

President-elect Donald Trump and his first lady Melania Trump during an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

The source added: “She views winning as the main show, and the rest she’ll do as she pleases.

“She’s really in the driver’s seat as to her duties at the White House.”

“Melania will be a part time first lady — while being a full-time mother and wife.”

The Trumps live at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach but also have an apartment at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where their teenage son Barron lives while studying at New York University.

It comes after Mrs Trump snubbed the Bidens’ invitation to the White House.

Mr Trump met with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on Wednesday local time, in keeping with tradition for the incoming president-elect.

US President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, with President Joe Biden. But where was Melania? Picture: AFP

It’s also custom for the first lady to host her successor for tea in the residence but Mrs Trump gave it a miss.

The move has divided public opinion.

“Jill Biden showed courtesy and tact in inviting Melania. Melania showed a complete lack of courtesy and decorum,” wrote a user on X.

But another leapt to Mrs Trump’s defence.

“Our beautiful FLOTUS owes the imposters in the White House NOTHING. I’m glad she’s refusing to pander to them. I would too.”

Mrs Trump was also noticeably missing from a family photo taken hours after her husband won the US presidential election.

Mr Trump’s teenage granddaughter Kai shared the family photo on X which included billionaire Elon Musk.

She captioned the photo “The whole squad”. But the matriarch of the family was nowhere to be seen leading fans to ask “Where’s Melania?”

The whole squad pic.twitter.com/5yQVkFiney

— Kai Trump (@KaiTrumpGolfs) November 6, 2024

“Where b First Lady?”, asked an X user.

Another: “Where is she.”

One X user thought they had the answer: “lol Melania not even bothering to get in these pics anymore.”

Others were puzzled by Musk’s inclusion in the shot.

“Elon’s first lady now?,” an X user quizzed.

But others appeared unbothered, relishing the moment instead.

“I love how you guys adopted Elon and baby X,” wrote a fan.

Another fan wrote: “Look at elon fitting right in. An amazing family.”

One X user said Musk was deserving of his spot in the Trump family: “For those asking why Elon is in this picture. No one risked or had more to lose in this Election than him. He put all his companies and his reputation on the line for the sake of saving free speech.”

A body double conspiracy theory also emerged after the former first lady appeared beside Mr Trump at the ballot box on election day.

Mr Trump was pictured entering the polling station in Palm Beach, Florida. wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, navy suit and shirt with no tie.

By his side was Mrs Trump looking chic, wearing a polka dot Dior shirt dress with the collar turned up and large-format dark glasses.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump after casting their votes at the polling place in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Centre on election day in Palm Beach, Florida. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

She removed the sunglasses to smile at poll workers and campaign staff at campaign headquarters as her husband thanked them, but kept her glasses on as Mr Trump spoke to reporters after voting at the polling place in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Centre, Palm Beach.

Mrs Trump previously wore the same dress while promoting her self-titled memoir on American television.

Melania Trump removed her sunglasses for a short space while Donald Trump thanked his staff at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, on election day. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

The Trumps’ decision to vote in person at a polling station on Election Day was in contrast to Kamala Harris, and her running mate Tim Walz, who voted by mail.

The rare appearance of Mrs Trump by her husband’s side in public reignited a ‘fake Melania’ theory on social media.

Yo, am I crazy, or is that a fake Melania standing next to him? 😆 pic.twitter.com/yqnwgvBkMf

— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) November 5, 2024

That IS NOT Melania!! pic.twitter.com/3x1pOxCh9r

— Mr. Spock 🖖 (Commentary) (@SpockResists) November 5, 2024

If that’s Melania I’m the Queen of Sheba

pic.twitter.com/1CD9sLOTuB

— Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🇪🇺🐟🇬🇧🏴‍☠️🦠💙 (@g_gosden) November 5, 2024

Mr Trump also brought several family members – with the conspicuous absence of his wife – up on stage at his closing rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Donald Trump Jr. speaks as Donald Trump (L) listens alongside Tiffany Trump's spouse Michael Boulos (2nd L), Tiffany Trump (3rd L), Co-chair of the Republican National Committee Lara Trump (3rdR) and Eric Trump (R), during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Picture: AFP

Originally published as Melania Trump will be ‘part-time first lady’, according to ‘Mar-a-Lago insider’