In a departure from a longstanding custom, Melania Trump has denied a meeting with Jill Biden.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Melania Trump rejected Jill Biden’s invitation to tea at the White House and tour the executive residence. Taking to X, Melania announced that she would not be accompanying her husband, Donald Trump, for his Wednesday meeting with President Joe Biden.
Despite Donald not inviting Joe in 2020, this is a custom that presidents and their spouses have long followed. Taking to X, Melania Trump’s office wrote, “Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House. Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.”
Is Melania Trump Meeting With Jill Biden?
In light of her refusal to meet Jill Biden, it remains uncertain if Melania Trump will return to the White House in January 2024. In 2017, following Donald’s first-term inauguration, it took a number of months before she joined him in Washington. After stepping in, Melania clashed with the media and White House traditions, expressing dissatisfaction with tasks like decorating for Christmas.
Despite not meeting, Jill’s office sent Melania a handwritten message of congratulations, adding that her staff was ready to assist with the transition. Notably, Melania met Michelle Obama after Donald Trump defeated Hilary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
During their 2016 meeting, Melania Trump and Michelle Obama, then the first lady, met at the White House for a tour and an awkward tea. During her 2016 visit, Melania and Michelle went through the State Floor with the resident curator, discussing raising children at the historic residence.
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Subsequently, they ventured out on the Truman Balcony, which offers expansive views of the grounds and the Washington Monument. After their meeting was concluded, The White House shared a picture of them talking in the Yellow Oval Room, seated next to one another in gold chairs.
Did Melania Trump Decline a Meeting With Jill Biden?
Yes, Melania declined a meeting with Jill. Although Melania Trump’s rejection of Jill Biden’s invitation is unique in modern history, it was not surprising following their husbands’ bitter campaign.
Speaking on the issue, Anita McBride, a first lady scholar at American University, said, “It’s different this time. She knows what she’s walking into—don’t need a tour. I like to see the tradition upheld, but Mrs. Trump has shown us for years she will do things her way and not be burdened by others’ expectations of her.”
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McBride served as Laura Bush’s chief of staff during former President George W. Bush’s second term. Similarly, in 2020, Melania Trump did not extend an invitation to Jill Biden following Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. According to a source, it made no sense for Melania to invite Jill, given that Donald had yet to concede to Joe.
The sources further stated that Jill was already familiar with the White House, so it made no sense for them to meet. However, it wasn’t until she and her husband left the White House in 2020 that Melania reached out to Jill about transition concerns.
Consequently, in 2024, with the roles now reversed and Melania being familiar with the area, it was reasonable that she refused the invite. However, she has yet to disclose how she will approach her role under the new administration.
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Why Is Melania Trump Refusing to Meet With Jill Biden?
In her X statement, Melania Trump did not explain or give a reason why she declined to join Jill Biden for tea. However, it was no surprise, as Melania has been vocal about her anger at the FBI’s raid in 2022. In August 2022, the FBI raided Donald and Melania Trump‘s residence at the exclusive Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, in an attempt to find classified materials.
Although her absence was not explained, her team did not specify which of the stories about her choice to miss the meeting were false. However, her office released a statement condemning some of the stories. They said, “In this instance, several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information. Be discerning with your source of news.”
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