In a departure from tradition, former First Lady Melania Trump is expected to skip a customary tea meeting with current First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. The anticipated absence comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to visit Washington, D.C., following his decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Historically, the outgoing and incoming First Ladies meet for a symbolic handover, a gesture of goodwill that signifies the peaceful transition of power. However, sources indicate Melania Trump has no intention of attending.
According to CNN, anonymous insiders claim the former First Lady cited a scheduling conflict related to the promotion of her newly released memoir, Melania, which recently topped the New York Times bestseller list. However, conflicting reports suggest deeper reasons for her decision.
A separate source alleges that Melania’s refusal to meet Jill Biden stems from lingering resentment over the FBI raid on the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022. The raid, conducted as part of a federal investigation into classified documents, reportedly left Melania feeling violated after agents allegedly searched her personal belongings, including her wardrobe.
“Jill Biden’s husband authorized the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer,” a source told the New York Post. “The Bidens are disgusting. Jill Biden isn’t someone Melania needs to meet.”
The raid, a highly publicized event, sparked outrage among Trump supporters and was a pivotal moment in the legal battles surrounding the former president. However, the federal classified documents case was dropped in July 2023. Despite the legal resolution, the emotional impact appears to have left a lasting impression on the former First Lady.
Reports also indicate a lack of direct communication between Melania Trump and Jill Biden. According to the Daily Mail, the two have not spoken since the election. “Mrs. Trump is not going,” another source confirmed, emphasizing that Melania sees no value in meeting with Jill Biden.
Trump’s team reportedly attempted to persuade her to reconsider, citing the importance of maintaining tradition and fostering goodwill. However, as of now, Melania’s stance appears firm. An insider familiar with the discussions suggested her decision might not be finalized, but the likelihood of her attendance remains slim.
While the First Ladies may not be meeting, President-elect Trump has accepted President Joe Biden’s invitation to the White House. The two leaders are scheduled to meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The gesture is aimed at facilitating a smooth transition of power, despite the contentious relationship between the two administrations.
This meeting comes just over a week after Trump’s landslide victory, which saw the Republican Party not only reclaim the presidency but also secure majorities in both the House and Senate. The upcoming Oval Office meeting is expected to be a critical moment as the Biden administration hands over the reins to Trump’s incoming team.
Melania’s decision to prioritize her memoir over the traditional tea meeting highlights the former First Lady’s current focus on her personal projects. Her book, Melania, offers an intimate look at her time in the White House, her personal experiences, and her views on the political landscape.
In one excerpt, Melania reportedly recounts the emotional toll of the FBI raid, describing it as a moment of profound violation. “Watching agents search through my personal belongings was deeply unsettling,” she wrote. “It was a reminder of how far political adversaries will go to target our family.”
The decision to skip the White House meeting has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters of the Trump family have applauded Melania for taking a stand against what they view as unjust treatment by the Biden administration. Others, however, criticize the move as a missed opportunity to promote unity during a politically charged time.
Political analyst Simon Hankinson noted, “While the tea meeting is largely symbolic, it carries significant weight in signaling a cooperative transition. Melania’s absence will undoubtedly be seen as a continuation of the partisan divide.”
As the transition of power unfolds, the spotlight remains on the key figures shaping this historic moment. Melania Trump’s decision to forgo the traditional meeting underscores the deep political and personal divides that continue to define the current political climate. Whether her stance will change in the coming days remains to be seen, but her absence at the White House will mark a significant break from tradition.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the upcoming Oval Office meeting between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, a pivotal step in the transfer of power as the GOP prepares to take control of all three branches of government.
