Incoming first lady Melania Trump is breaking with tradition by not meeting with current first lady Jill Biden ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. While the tradition typically sees the outgoing first lady hosting her successor for tea, Melania will not participate.
This decision follows the contentious 2020 election, where Donald Trump claimed the election was stolen. Melania and Jill Biden have not spoken since the election, despite their husbands having a cordial phone call. The last time they were likely together was at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral in November of the previous year.
Reports suggest that Melania Trump plans to take a more part-time role as first lady during her husband’s second term and may not reside at the White House full-time. She has not yet announced any specific agenda or staff appointments.
Melania’s refusal to meet with Jill Biden also comes after ongoing political tensions, including Biden’s controversial statements about Donald Trump and his supporters, as well as the two recent indictments of Trump by the Justice Department.
