Melania Trump will not join former President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, even though President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extended a formal invitation. Traditionally, when an outgoing president hosts the incoming president-elect in the Oval Office, the first lady hosts her successor for tea in a symbolic show of goodwill and unity. Michelle Obama, for instance, welcomed Melania Trump for tea in the Yellow Room after the 2016 election, a moment that emphasized the smooth transition of power.
This time, however, it seems the tradition is set to remain broken. In 2020, Melania Trump and Jill Biden never met, largely due to Donald Trump’s refusal to concede and his repeated, unsubstantiated claims that he had won the election. Now, the dynamics remain just as tense, especially with recent election events heightening tensions. Melania’s decision to decline the Bidens’ invitation underscores these strained relations.
According to reports monitored by TheUSWatch.com, a source familiar with the situation confirmed, “Mrs. Trump is not going, and they have not spoken.” While President Biden and Donald Trump did recently exchange a cordial phone call following the election, this hasn’t led to any contact between the two first ladies.
Some insiders suggest Melania’s absence at this post-election meeting reflects a continuation of the Trumps’ resistance to certain political norms. This decision comes at a time when both political leaders are handling fallout from the recent election results and seeking to bolster their support bases.
As Jill Biden prepares to welcome the new first lady under unique circumstances, Melania’s choice not to attend may leave a lasting impression. Although this tradition has typically been a routine part of the transfer of power, it highlights a deeper tension between the current and former first families. Whether Melania’s decision will influence future relationships between outgoing and incoming first ladies remains to be seen, but it certainly reflects the highly charged and often contentious political climate of recent years.
