Melania Trump has remained noticeably out of the spotlight in recent months, fueling ongoing curiosity about her role in public life—and her relationship with President Donald Trump.
While she has appeared alongside her husband on a few select occasions, including a New Year’s celebration at Mar-a-Lago where cameras caught a rare affectionate moment between the couple, questions continue to swirl about how much time they actually spend together behind the scenes.
As Donald Trump remains deeply immersed in his second term at the White House, Melania’s public presence has been minimal. Since the fall, she has made only a handful of appearances, including a visit to a South Carolina military base in October alongside Usha Vance and a brief showing at the annual Congressional Ball in Washington, D.C., in December. Outside of these moments, she has largely kept a low profile.
Melania has also recently shifted attention toward personal projects, including promoting the trailer for her upcoming documentary, Melania. During the New Year’s festivities, the Trump family was seen together at Mar-a-Lago, with Melania, Donald, and their son Barron sharing the spotlight briefly. Still, insiders suggest these public moments don’t fully reflect their day-to-day reality.
Before returning to the White House, Melania had explained that she intended to divide her time between Palm Beach, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Over the past month, that appears to be exactly what she has done—splitting her time between Mar-a-Lago and the White House. However, according to a source speaking to People magazine, she has not been regularly present in the capital carrying out traditional First Lady responsibilities.
This arrangement, insiders say, is not new. A source previously told People that while both Donald and Melania maintain residences at Mar-a-Lago and the White House, they largely operate independently. “She leads her own life and joins him when appropriate in either place,” the source explained.
Because of their sharply different schedules, the couple reportedly spends limited time together. While in Palm Beach, Melania is said to keep mostly to herself, occasionally joining the president for dinner but otherwise maintaining her own routine. Another insider suggested that this physical and professional separation has had an impact on their relationship.
Yet despite their distance, the couple reportedly shares one unexpected bond—an interest that continues to connect them even when they are apart. According to sources, Donald and Melania share a genuine passion for interior design.
The insider revealed that Trump takes particular pride in his design instincts, believing he has a strong eye for aesthetics and space. Over the years, he has reportedly played an active role in choosing furnishings, finishes, and layouts for Mar-a-Lago and his various golf properties. Melania, who has long been known for her refined taste and minimalist style, reportedly shares that same enthusiasm.
“Donald has his own vision for his homes and clubs,” the source said, adding that interior design is one of the few areas where the couple truly overlaps. “They both love it.”
Still, the source emphasized that beyond public events and occasional shared interests, interaction between the two remains limited. “There is little interaction between them, just what is expected,” the insider said. “Then they go back to doing their own thing.”
The distance was subtly on display during the December Congressional Ball, when Donald appeared unaware of Melania’s recent initiatives. When she mentioned a new legislative effort, the president responded candidly, saying he had just learned about it but was confident it would benefit children.
While their lives may run on separate tracks, that shared creative interest offers a rare glimpse into how Donald and Melania remain connected—quietly, unexpectedly, and largely out of public view.