Why an Author Says Melania and Donald Trump Are ‘Separated’ — Inside the First Lady’s Long Absence from the White House
From reportedly spending less than two weeks at the White House since Donald Trump’s second inauguration to allegedly renegotiating her prenup, explore why the presidential couple is believed to be living separate lives.
It has been around four months into Donald Trump’s second presidency, and according to reports, the First Lady’s wing sits dark as her presence is rarely felt at the White House.
Furthermore, following strategic moves to “provide a more solid future” for herself and her son, Melania Trump has remained largely absent from the political spotlight — a choice that led author Michael Wolff to boldly claim that the couple are not only separated, but no longer inhabit a marriage in any traditional sense.
In the nearly four months since Donald’s second inauguration, Melania has reportedly spent fewer than 14 days at the White House — and even that may be a generous estimate.
According to reports, the East Wing, typically a hub of first lady operations, has been conspicuously quiet. It’s a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed by White House observers and historians alike.
According to multiple sources familiar with the First Lady’s schedule, her time in Washington has been fleeting at best. Instead, she has remained largely out of public view, either retreating to Trump Tower in Manhattan or lying low at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
Even within those circles, she’s rarely seen. Staff at Mar-a-Lago, despite being familiar with the rhythm of the Trump family’s routines, reportedly don’t encounter her often.
Official lines from the administration suggest she is at the White House more frequently than the public might know. However, those same officials fail to clarify exactly when or for how long she’s present — a vagueness that only deepens the mystery.
That her whereabouts have become a “sensitive subject” within the West Wing further fuels speculation about her true role and presence. Historian Katherine Jellison, who has studied first ladies extensively, drew a comparison to Bess Truman, the last presidential spouse to maintain such a low profile.
Like Melania, Bess frequently opted for life away from the capital, preferring the privacy of her hometown in Independence, Missouri. “She just kind of liked her own private world,” Katherine explained — a sentiment that appears to echo in Melania’s current choices.
