Topics: News, Politics, Melania Trump, Donald Trump, US News
A photo taken of the ‘whole squad’ following Donald Trump’s election victory did not include Melania Trump, and insiders have been weighing in on her absence.
The 78-year-old has been re-elected as President following the 2024 election against Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris.
The caption of the post, which appears to have been removed, was shared by Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, with the 17-year-old uploading the snap at Mar-a-Lago to Instagram.
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Trump's daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, are in the picture.
His youngest son Barron, whom he shares with Melania, is there as well, plus his children from his first marriage to ex-wife Ivana Trump, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump can also be seen with their spouses, Jared Kushner and Lara Trump.
And an unusual addition to the group was Elon Musk, who can be seen at the far right of the picture.
But Melania Trump, who will now be First Lady for a second term following her husband’s win, was noticeably absent.
The former model did not join Trump at his campaign rallies, however, she did appear on stage with him on the night of his victory speech.
She was even shown sharing a kiss with her husband on stage - however, the interaction left a few viewers 'concerned'.
Now, sources have since offered their claims as to why she may be absent.
According to The Mirror, sources close to the First Lady elect claim that she ‘had no desire to return’ to life in the White House.
The source further claimed: "It is no secret Melania, by and large, loathed her time in the White House and that on leaving, she felt it cathartic.
“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."
Meanwhile, Melania's large absence from her husband's trail campaign has been noted, though she has been attending to fundraisers behind the scenes, according to news.au.
In reference to her appearance to a fundraising event for the conservative LGBTQ organisation, Log Cabin Republicans, Trump’s former White House communications director Stephanie Grisham, said as per the outlet: “She’s been so disconnected with this campaign and so absent that I could see her saying, ‘If I’m going to put my time in, I will get paid for this."
Grisham, who also worked as Melania Trump’s former chief of staff, continued: “Even when we were in the White House, she was always so concerned about people making money off of her because she felt it was money she should be earning."
Mrs Trump reportedly earned a pay cheque of over $200,000 USD, news.au reports.
Tyla has approached Trump’s campaign press office for comment.
Trump's Inauguration Day is expected to be 20 January, 2025.
