And now, what will become of Melania Trump?

After her term as first lady, which ended in January 2021, Melania Trump disappeared. From the Trump residence at Mar-a-Lago, she seemed to spend days, if not happy, at least in the shadows. Very little present during Donald Trump's presidential campaign in recent months, she only reappeared to promote her memoirs, Melania . A book in which we read in particular her position in favor of women's right to abortion, unlike her husband.

Goodbye idlenesshello Washington

For an episode of our podcast Scandalsin a series dedicated to the private life of Donald Trump, we asked Stephanie Grisham, Melania's former friend and chief of staff during Donald's term, what would happen to her if her husband was not re-elected at the White House. “She will go to the south of France, on a very large yacht with a very wide-brimmed hat, and she will do what she always wanted to do, which is to say: absolutely nothing,” we were told. she replied. But now, the polls have spoken, Donald Trump was re-elected on November 5, and with this result, Melania is preparing to once again become the First Lady of the United States. Unless she decides otherwise…

«Free Melania»

Certainly, Melania Trump appeared radiant on the stage of the Convention Center in Palm Beach, Florida, while Donald Trump claimed his victory in the presidential election this Wednesday, November 6. A smile that we haven't seen for a long time. The day before, when they went to vote together at the Morton and Barbara Mandel leisure center in Palm Beach, she appeared with her face hidden behind an imposing pair of sunglasses, as if jaded. And that's what she had gotten used to with the cameras. Because we cannot say that Melania Trump seemed comfortable for a single second in her role as first lady. She didn't even seem to like it.

During Donald Trump's first term, his wife appeared in numerous photos with a defeated face. Videos even showed her looking vague or lost. So much so that a hashtag was born on Twitter: FreeMelania (“Save Melania”, in French). The most notable example is that of the day of her husband's inauguration. We see her in a sky blue suit, first smiling at her husband. But as he turns around, his face suddenly shuts down.

Signs of annoyance

Melania Trump then began to publicly show clear signs of annoyance with Donald Trump, in videos that social networks had fun sharing. Among the most viral, two videos dated May 2017 show her clearly pushing away her husband's hand, one when they disembark from the presidential jet Air Force One in Rome, the other on the tarmac of Tel Aviv airport . As he tries to grab her hand, she abruptly sends him away with the back of her hand. Given this record, a second term in the White House does not necessarily seem like what Melania Trump aspired to.

Will she live in the White House?

It is not even certain that Melania is accompanying Donald Trump to live in Washington. As is customary, her husband moved immediately to the White House after his inauguration in January 2017. But she chose to stay in New York. Officially, it was said that she refused to move until the end of the school year for Barron, their son, who was 10 years old at the time. But several media outlets claimed that she never really settled in Washington and that their son Barron did not live there. At the same time, rumors were circulating that the presidential couple had separate rooms when Melania came to the White House.

A part-time First Lady

Some say that Melania Trump doesn't even really plan to take on the role of First Lady again. “Melania has reached an agreement with her husband that if he wins the presidency, she will not have to be a first lady on duty 24/7,” said an anonymous source in the columns of Page Sixin June. The reason for this decision? Melania Trump would like to devote time to her son Barron, who entered New York University in September 2024. She would have expressed the wish to live between New York and Washington to provide support to the 18-year-old young man .

Under conditions

What is certain is that Melania Trump is not the type to let events overtake her. Always according to Page Sixtaken up by all American media, she would have discreetly renegotiated her marriage contract for the third time at the end of 2023. In fact, she would like to ensure that she will have enough money left after Donald's recent legal troubles, which cost him dearly. But she would also want to ensure that Barron is treated as equal to Donald's other children – which implies that he was not until now. And maybe that’s why she’s now smiling alongside her husband. Because she acts on her terms.