Jill Biden says Melania Trump broke key First Lady tradition

Former First Lady Jill Biden revealed that Melania Trump declined her invitation to a traditional tea meeting, a gesture meant to foster a smooth presidential transition. This marks a rare break in a long-standing First Lady tradition.

Donald Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, returning to the White House after his second inauguration on January 20. As Melania Trump resumes her role as First Lady, an interview with Jill Biden has shed light on a break from tradition during the recent transition of power.

Jill, who served as First Lady during Joe Biden’s presidency, revealed in an exit interview with The Washington Post that Melania Trump declined her invitation for tea at the White House. This meeting, a symbolic tradition between incoming and outgoing First Ladies, has been a hallmark of peaceful transitions of power for decades.

Jill explained that after Melania turned down the invitation, she passed along a congratulatory note to her through Donald Trump, wishing her well and offering her support.

“I congratulated her and I offered help,” Jill said. However, she did not hear back from Melania until January 9 at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral. During a brief interaction at the event, Melania reportedly thanked Jill “during pleasantries.”

The Trump team has not issued a comment on the matter, and Melania has not publicly addressed Jill’s remarks.

Melania reflects on her second term as First Lady

While Melania has not commented on the missed tea meeting, she recently shared her thoughts on returning to the White House and the challenges she faced during her first time as First Lady in 2016.

In a recent interview with FOX News, Melania emphasized her independence, saying, “Maybe some people see me as just a wife of the President, but I’m standing on my own two feet, independent. I have my own thoughts, I have my own ‘yes’ and ‘no.'”

Reflecting on her first term, Melania revealed that it was “challenging” due to a lack of preparation and information from the outgoing administration. “The information was… upheld for us from the previous administration,” she said. However, she noted that this time feels different, adding, “This time, I have everything!”

She also shared that she “didn’t have much support” as the First Lady during her first term, a challenge she seems determined to address as she takes on the role again.

Social media reacts to Trump’s return to power

Donald Trump’s second inauguration has sparked widespread attention on social media, with his official inauguration photos circulating online. Taken by chief photographer Daniel Torok, the photos prompted mixed reactions.

Trump’s supporters praised the images, calling him “presidential” and confident. However, critics pointed out similarities between the photos and his now-famous mugshot taken in August 2023, when Trump turned himself in at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia on racketeering charges. Some users speculated about alterations to the photos, with a few claiming the images looked like the product of artificial intelligence.

Trump’s mugshot, taken during his legal battles, remains one of the most iconic images of his political career. With Trump now serving as the first U.S. president to hold office after a felony conviction, these comparisons have reignited discussions about his legacy.

Breaking tradition – What does this mean for future First Ladies?

The decision by Melania Trump to skip the traditional tea meeting with Jill Biden raises questions about the future of symbolic traditions during presidential transitions. Such meetings, like the one Michelle Obama held with Melania in 2016, have historically served as a moment of goodwill, setting aside political differences to ensure a smooth and respectful handover of the First Lady’s role.

By declining Jill’s invitation, Melania broke from this tradition, reflecting the increasingly partisan nature of presidential transitions. Will future First Ladies revive these customs of unity, or will they disappear entirely in an era of growing political division?

As Melania begins her second term as First Lady, the world will be watching how she approaches the role and whether she chooses to repair or reshape the traditions associated with it.