Melania Trump has not been seen in public for 18 days, raising speculation about her role as first lady as President Donald Trump pushes forward with high-profile executive orders, policy changes, and global meetings.
Her last appearance was on January 24, when she joined Trump on visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California. Since then, she has been absent from key White House events, including meetings with foreign leaders and the Super Bowl, where Trump was seen alongside Ivanka Trump.
First lady missing from major White House moments
Melania’s absence has been particularly notable during major policy signings and meetings with world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and King Abdullah of Jordan.
She also skipped a high-profile dinner at Mar-a-Lago where Trump hosted Republican senators and their spouses, an event where the first lady would typically play a central role.
The East Wing has remained silent on her whereabouts, providing no public statements beyond releasing her official White House portrait on January 27.
Social media silence fuels speculation
Melania’s social media presence has been minimal, with only two posts on her @FLOTUS X account—one featuring her official portrait and another expressing condolences over the January 29 air collision near Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, her FLOTUS Instagram account remains nearly empty, fueling further speculation about her level of involvement in the administration.
A part-time first lady?
Even before Trump’s second term, Melania had made it clear she would define her role on her own terms.
“I will be in the White House. When I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach,” she told Fox News in early January.
Prioritizing personal projects
Instead of high-profile public engagements, Melania has been focusing on her personal ventures, including:
- Her jewelry and NFT line
- A documentary deal with Amazon worth a reported $40 million
- Interior design projects at the White House
A film crew shadowed her for over a month, capturing behind-the-scenes footage of her transition back into East Wing life.
A stark contrast to Usha Vance
As Melania remains out of the spotlight, Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, has taken on a more visible role.
She recently joined her husband on an international trip, even bringing their children along to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Trump shrugs off Melania questions
During a press conference last week, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Trump about Elon Musk’s viral post declaring, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.”
When asked how Melania felt about the comment, Trump simply replied:
“Oh, I think she’ll be OK with it.”
Will Melania return to the public eye?
While her absence has not gone unnoticed, Melania Trump has a history of keeping a low profile, making it unclear when or if she will step back into the public spotlight.
