Donald Trump will officially assume the presidency following his inauguration next Monday (20 January). Jill Biden reportedly accused Melania Trump of breaking a significant First Lady tradition.
On 20 January, Donald Trump will assume the presidency, taking over the role from his Democrat predecessor, Joe Biden, making Melania the new First Lady of the United States.
As she prepares to leave the White House, Jill has reflected on her time in the role and opened up about her upcoming replacement, who reportedly declined an invitation to a “customary” event.
In an exit interview with the Washington Post, Jill revealed Melania did not attend a tea she had invited her to at the White House—a long-held tradition for incoming and outgoing first ladies during the presidential transition. This prompted Jill to then give Trump a note to pass along to his wife.
“I congratulated her and offered help,” Jill said about the note, but she didn’t hear back from Melania until Jimmy Carter’s state funeral last week (9 January), when Melania thanked Jill “during pleasantries.” Tyla has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.
Melania has previously made a bold statement ahead of Trump’s return to power. She told FOX News: “Maybe some people see me as just a wife of the president, but I’m standing on my own two feet, independent. I have my own thoughts; I have my own ‘yes’ and ‘no.’.”
Later during the conversation, she explored her first time at the White House, confessing, “The first time was challenging. “ We didn’t have much of the information. The previous administration provided us with the information. But this time, I have everything!”
Even though she now has “everything,” there is one thing she regrets not having last time: “support.”
She shared that she didn’t have much support as the First Lady. Trump’s official inauguration photos, taken by chief photographer Daniel Torok, have been shared across social media platforms—prompting many to share their thoughts on the pictures.
While some supporters of Trump, who will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency, were adamant about the 78-year-old looking ‘presidential,’ others were far from agreeing.
Despite the varied reactions, many individuals noted that Trump’s eyes seemed to have two distinct sizes; some even attributed this to artificial intelligence (AI), while others observed a striking similarity between the inauguration photo and his mug shot.
The mugshot in question was taken back in August 2023, when the Republican leader turned himself in at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, after being indicted by a grand jury on racketeering charges.