Melania Trump reportedly declines meeting with Jill Biden as Donald Trump prepares to return to white house

After securing a second term, Donald and Melania Trump are set to return to the White House in January, following Donald Trump’s recent win over incumbent Joe Biden. However, reports indicate that the anticipated meeting between outgoing First Lady Jill Biden and incoming First Lady Melania Trump may not happen, due to lingering tension between the families.

Melania Trump, who largely avoided the spotlight during her husband’s latest campaign, has reportedly opted out of the customary “tea and tour” meeting at the White House, where First Ladies traditionally exchange perspectives and ensure a smooth transition. CNN reports that Melania’s conflicting schedule surrounding her recent memoir release may be a reason behind the decision. However, sources familiar with the Trumps’ private sentiments suggest that the lingering resentment surrounding the 2022 FBI raid on the Trumps’ Mar-a-Lago estate is likely a major factor.

In August 2022, FBI agents conducted a high-profile search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, searching for classified government documents reportedly taken after his first term. In addition to Donald’s private office, the search included Melania’s bedroom suite and a separate area belonging to their son Barron. Federal authorities ultimately confiscated hundreds of documents marked classified, leading to ongoing legal battles for the former president.

The search left a lasting impact on Melania, who later described it as an “invasion of privacy” that made her “angry.” Speaking to Fox News in late September of this year, Melania opened up about her frustration: “It made me angry, yes. Invasion of privacy. And the way it was done was — I was really surprised. And you get angry, because nobody should be putting up with that kind of stuff. Some person — I don’t even know who or how many people — they went through my stuff.” Melania later commented that the Mar-a-Lago search “serves as a warning to all Americans, a reminder that our freedom and rights must be respected.”

This history has reportedly complicated any prospect of a meeting between her and Jill Biden. According to a source cited by the New York Post, the First Ladies’ strained relationship is partly due to “bad blood” after the raid, which was conducted during Biden’s presidency. The source stated, “Jill Biden’s husband authorized the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting. Jill Biden isn’t someone Melania needs to meet.”

During Donald Trump’s recent campaign, Melania Trump remained largely out of the public eye, prioritizing time with her son Barron. She split her time between New York City, where Barron attended school, and Mar-a-Lago, their Florida estate. Nonetheless, she made occasional appearances at private events, including a Log Cabin Republicans fundraiser held at Mar-a-Lago in September, where she was reportedly paid over $230,000.

Melania re-emerged in the final days leading up to Election Day. Just over a week before the vote, she attended a high-profile rally in New York City, introducing her husband to a crowd of 20,000 at Madison Square Garden. In her speech, she highlighted her concerns about the state of New York, noting that the city had been “unforgiving” and that the “quality of life has declined.” Her husband, she suggested, could “restore the city to its former glory.”

On Election Day, Melania was by Donald Trump’s side as they voted at the Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida. She wore sunglasses throughout the day, sparking social media theories that she had been “replaced” by a body double. A clip shared on social media by Medias Touch editor Ron Filipkowski showed her indoors with sunglasses, prompting conspiracy theories that the person beside Trump was an “imposter.” Some speculated that details such as “rings missing, wrong nail style & length” indicated that the woman seen with Trump was a stand-in. Despite these claims, there has been no concrete evidence to support the theory, which is not the first time the former First Lady has been the subject of body-double rumors.

As the Trumps prepare to return to the White House, the traditional meeting between the sitting president and the president-elect is also under scrutiny. Although Donald Trump famously broke the custom when he lost to Biden in 2020 — opting not to invite Joe and Jill Biden to the White House after his defeat — he is expected to attend a scheduled meeting with Biden in the Oval Office before his January inauguration. Sources indicate that the event will be cordial, though the dynamic remains tense between the outgoing and incoming administrations.

However, Melania’s absence could signal the atmosphere of her second term as First Lady. During her first tenure, Melania was frequently guarded and kept a low profile, focusing on her “Be Best” campaign for children while often avoiding the political spotlight. Experts suggest that her decision to skip the White House visit may point to a similar strategy in her upcoming role.

The news of Melania’s likely decision to skip the meeting has sparked polarized reactions across social media. Some Trump supporters have praised her as “classy” for potentially sidestepping the Bidens, while critics view her reluctance as emblematic of the tension that has often defined the Trumps’ interactions with the political establishment.

Looking ahead, experts predict that Donald Trump’s second term will be markedly different from his first, shaped by ongoing legal battles, intensified scrutiny, and potential resistance from within the political sphere. Whether or not Melania Trump will embrace a more public role remains to be seen, but her reported choice to forgo meeting Jill Biden may underscore her continued distance from the political fray.

Despite the personal and political tensions, the nation will watch as the Trumps re-assume their roles. Time will reveal how Melania and Donald Trump navigate their return to Washington, and whether their second tenure at the White House will offer any sign of reconciliation or change.