Melania Trump, holding influence behind the scenes, selectively appears in the current term of office
In the early stages of Donald Trump's second term, First Lady Melania Trump has taken a different approach compared to her first term.
Melania Trump has been noticeably absent from the White House for over a month, and her appearances have been far less regular compared to her first term. As of now, she has only made public appearances 19 days this term, contrasting the 40 days at the same point during the previous term.
The First Lady's office has been scaled down significantly. Her East Wing staff is a fraction of her first-term team and that of her predecessors, with only five full-time staff members as of July 1. Their combined annual salaries amount to $634,200.
Despite the reduced staff and fewer public appearances, Melania Trump has not shied away from making her voice heard. She has advocated for legislation against deepfake and revenge pornography, an issue that she has been vocal about in the past.
One of her most notable actions was writing a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that provided a healthy dose of skepticism to Donald Trump's conversations with Putin. In her letter, Melania Trump referenced the impact of war on children, a subject that has been a concern for her throughout her tenure.
However, Melania Trump has not announced plans for any official state visits to the White House, nor has she laid out any new policy goals or expansion of her "Be Best" campaign. She has also not participated in any solo foreign or domestic travel.
The First Lady's influence in Donald Trump's second term was underscored by her letter to Putin, but the details of its delivery are unclear. The search results do not provide information about which persons were present during the handover of letters to President Putin and President Zelensky following the Anchorage summit in an unspecified year.
Melania Trump is, however, in frequent communication with Donald Trump, often through texts or calls. Despite the lack of public appearances, this line of communication suggests that she remains an active player in the administration.
One of the few public events Melania Trump has held this term was an investment of $25 million for foster youth in the president's budget. This significant contribution underscores her commitment to supporting vulnerable children, a cause she has consistently championed throughout her time as First Lady.
Despite numerous inquiries, Melania Trump's office has not responded to CNN, leaving many questions about her role in the second term unanswered. However, her actions speak volumes about her continued dedication to the issues she cares about, even in the face of a more low-key presence in the White House.
