This is the reason why Melania Trump was missing from a generational family photo in the wake of her husband's election success, with the soon-to-be First Lady revealing why she 'doesn't always agree' with everything Donald Trump does.
Now, we're just days away from seeing Trump become the 47th president of the United States.
After winning the 2024 election against Democrat Kamala Harris in November 2024, his inauguration ceremony is set to take place next Monday (January 20).
His wife, Melania, chose not to join him at any rallies in the run-up to the election, and was also seen missing from an important family picture just after the news was announced that Trump had won.
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Despite his wife being missing from the picture, one face we could see right at the front was Tesla CEO Elon Musk's.
According to The Mirror, a source close to the First Lady elect claimed that the reason she was absent was an attempt to distance herself from politics and the White House.
They said: "It is no secret Melania, by and large, loathed her time in the White House and that on leaving, she felt it cathartic.
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“She told those close to her she had no desire to return and instead focused first and foremost on being there for their son, Barron. Now he is at university.
"Melania has more time but no desire to use that time in Washington."
During her time in power, Melania reportedly earned a pay cheque of over $200,000 USD, news.au reports.
The former model has now opened up about how she feels going back to her role of First Lady during an interview with Fox and Friends.
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She said: "I feel I was always me the first time as well, I just feel that people didn't accept me maybe.
"Maybe some people, they 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'."
And commenting on her husband's political moves, she noted that the pair 'don't always agree'.
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She noted: "I gave him my advice, and sometimes he listens. Sometimes he doesn't and that's okay."
It has now been made clear that the First Lady will not permanently reside in The White House for the duration of her husband's presidency. Instead, she will split her time between Washington DC, New York, and Florida.
However, the mum-of-one added: "My first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a First Lady, to be a wife. And once we are in on Jan. 20, you serve the country."
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Mia Williams