Former First Lady Melania Trump is unlikely to attend the traditional White House meeting with current First Lady Jill Biden, according to a media report. This news comes shortly after Donald Trump secured his return to the White House in the 2024 election, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Sources close to Melania Trump revealed that a scheduling conflict related to her recent memoir release may prevent her from joining the customary gathering. While her final decision has not been made, the scheduling challenge reportedly makes her attendance unlikely.
Last week, Jill Biden extended the invitation as a symbol of the upcoming peaceful transition of power, just as President Joe Biden invited President-elect Donald Trump for an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday.
The invitation reflects the White House tradition of a welcoming meeting between the outgoing and incoming first ladies, a gesture meant to demonstrate continuity and respect for the office.
This practice has been largely upheld through recent transitions, with the notable exception of 2020, when such a meeting did not occur. In 2016, then-First Lady Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump at the White House’s Yellow Oval Room, where they shared tea and toured the private residence.
Some members of Trump’s team have reportedly encouraged Melania to attend the meeting, recognizing the symbolic importance of maintaining this tradition, especially as Donald Trump prepares to re-enter office.
His election victory makes him the first president since 1892 to return for a second, non-consecutive term, mirroring the path of Grover Cleveland, who served two separate terms in 1884 and 1892.
Trump’s win marks a historic comeback, not only for the former president but for the U.S. presidency itself. He initially served from 2016 to 2020 before losing his reelection bid to Joe Biden. With his recent success, he secured 295 electoral votes, outpacing Harris, who garnered 226 votes.
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