What next for Melania as First Lady glaringly missing from 'Trump Squad' celebration photo

In the photo published by Kai Trump, the daughter of Don Jr., all five of his children, their partners, his grandkids - and Elon Musk - stand united in Mar A Lago.

Posted by his proud granddaughter, the picture of the “whole squad” gathered to celebrate Donald Trump’s dramatic political comeback showed the president-elect’s family beaming with pride.

In the photo published by Kai Trump, the daughter of Don Jr., all five of his children, their partners, his grandkids - and Elon Musk - stand united in Mar A Lago.

“No one works harder or cares more about the American people. Congratulations, Grandpa, I love you,” the 17-year-old wrote. Then she posted the family picture, captioning it “The Whole Squad”.

However, one member was glaringly absent despite the historic moment - Trump’s wife Melania. Earlier in the day, the 54-year-old had been seen making an increasingly rare appearance with her husband as they voted on Tuesday close to their Palm Beach home.

It was then followed by a brief appearance on stage, during which Trump gave his victory speech, as his defeat of Kamala Harris was assured.

But with little over two months before he takes office, the president-elect is set to swap his palatial Florida mansion for the White House 1,000 miles away - a move many believe he will make alone.

Though no official announcement has been made, sources close to the former First Lady and now First Lady elect suggest she may not be eager to take on a second round of White House life.

Since departing Washington in January 2021, she has embraced a quieter, private existence, dividing her time between Mar-a-Lago and stays in New York.

She’s made it clear that her life is far removed from the political stage, and her absence from almost all of Trump’s campaign events has sparked speculation: is she stepping back from her role as First Lady for good?

And, if so, what does this decision say about the state of her marriage to Trump?

A source said: “It is no secret Melania, by and large, loathed her time in the White House and that on leaving, she felt it cathartic.

“She told those close to her she had no desire to return and instead focused first and foremost on being there for their son, Barron. Now he is at university. Melania has more time but no desire to use that time in Washington.”

The former model’s resistance to returning to the White House may be deeply ingrained.
From the beginning of Trump’s first term, she kept a distance while she reportedly renegotiated her prenup with her husband ahead of her new digs.

At the time, she delayed her move from New York to Washington, citing her desire to keep Barron in his Manhattan school.

Even after relocating to the US capital, Melania was known for keeping her public appearances to a minimum, often limiting her involvement in her husband’s administration and rarely speaking.

Her time there was also filled with rumours she clashed with Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka.

Those close to Melania suggest that her view on a second term has not changed and that she is more invested in a private, independent lifestyle than in political life.

Barron’s departure from the family home highlights the growing separation between Melania’s life and her husband’s public ambitions, leaving many to question whether she’ll support his return to the White House in a limited or traditional capacity - or even at all.

Her consistent absence from Trump’s campaign raised eyebrows among supporters and critics alike fuelling talks of "issues".

As Trump ramped up his rallies and appearances, Melania was rarely seen, with few signs of her active involvement.
One of the rare times she spoke was simply to refute that he was like Adolf Hitler.

“He is not Hitler, and his supporters stand behind him because they want to see the country successful,” she said last week.
On his birthday, June 14, the silence was even more noticeable. While other members of the Trump family and close friends posted public messages to celebrate the occasion, Melania did not.

She also did not attend Trump’s birthday party in West Palm Beach, which he described as “the biggest birthday party I’ve ever had by far.”

Her absence added to mounting questions, and many wondered if her lack of public support hinted at a shift in her relationship with her husband.

Insiders familiar with Melania’s approach believe she may limit her role to high-profile “special occasion” appearances rather than relocating to Washington full-time.

Such an arrangement would allow her to maintain her privacy and independence, effectively stepping back from the traditional role of First Lady while preserving her connection to select public moments.

Others speculate that she may opt to live primarily in Florida - an arrangement that would redefine the role and live separately from her presidential spouse.

Such a decision would reflect the couple’s unique dynamic and likely confirm the rumours of their “separate but united” approach to marriage.

The state of Melania’s relationship with Trump has long been the subject of public interest, especially as they have faced scrutiny over his legal battles and the allegations of extramarital affairs, including with porn star Stormy Daniels.

At the time, her husband was claimed to have slept with the X-rated actress, Melania, was recovering from the birth of Barron just months earlier.

Details of her husband’s alleged affair were told in open court earlier this year as he was convicted of paying Daniels illegal hush money to keep quiet.

During the trial - and all of Trump’s other court appearances - his wife was never once by his side.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former aide to and longtime confidante of Melania, explained that the couple, who famously sleep in separate beds, have a “transactional marriage.”

“In so many ways that they both garnered so much out of their relationship,” explained Winston Wolkoff, who wrote the “Melania and Me” tell-all after falling out with her longtime friend.

“By marrying Donald, Melania really did finally get to be the Vogue cover model that she’s always wanted to be, that supermodel, and by marrying Melania, Donald was legitimised as trying to get away from that whole playboy mentality that everyone wanted to characterise him as,” she said.

When asked about being at his side for his trial, Winston Wolkoff added: “I do not see her supporting him this way because she is not someone who, I think, that you can feel that humiliation without having to put yourself in front of the cameras.

“Everything Melania does is staged, so everything is articulated in a way for her before she does her interviews. So everything, like I said, is very strategically planned.

“She is not going to put herself in a position where she’s giving anyone the opportunity to say anything negative about her.”

Melania’s decision regarding a return to Washington is not only personal but also politically significant.

If she joins Trump in the White House, her presence could bolster his administration’s image, adding a touch of glamour and unity to the Trump brand.

However, if she chooses to stay in Florida, she will redefine what it means to be a First Lady, embracing a lifestyle and role outside traditional expectations.

In the process, she may signal a new era for First Ladies, one in which a partner’s independence and personal choices play a larger role than ever before. As America watches closely, Melania’s next steps are uncertain.

Whether she steps back into the Washington spotlight or remains in Florida will shape not only her relationship with Trump but also the public’s understanding of what it means to be a First Lady in the modern era.

Her choice will be a defining moment for the Trump administration’s second act, showing whether Melania will return to Washington by her husband’s side or continue to live on her own terms.

Either way, the couple will remain in separate beds whether she lives in Washington, Palm Beach or New York.