It seems that Melania Trump is just not that into winning a second term as first lady.
Let’s face it. Trump’s indictments have pretty much turned into campaign events. And people are starting to notice that she isn’t showing up with former President Donald Trump either at the arraignments or the post-arraignment campaign rallies.
I first noticed that she wasn’t with Trump at the rally in April at Mar-a-Lago following the first arraignment at the Manhattan courthouse. Well, considering that indictment stemmed from her husband allegedly paying hush money to an adult movie star, I thought: good for her.
Hillary Clinton claimed she wasn’t Tammy Wynette standing by her man when she obviously was. We’ve seen countless other wronged political wives stand beside their husbands that admitted wrongdoing to the public.
Melania wasn’t going to go as easy on Donald. Fair enough.
If she had an indictment to support her husband on, it was probably the classified documents case. That emerged after an FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago where agents searched her closet. Donald said “she felt very violated.”
Yet, when Trump had his post-arraignment rally at Bedminster in June, Melania was likewise nowhere to be found.
And this week, Melania wasn’t with Donald for the arraignment in D.C. federal court.
Drawing conclusions about their marriage, as if it was a spat between Frank and Clare Underwood in “House of Cards,” would be totally speculative and downright silly.
There are certain things we can draw from as history.
First, Melania is reportedly a private person, which is not entirely a trait associated with a supermodel and businesswoman. But people don’t always meet their stereotypes.
Like most first ladies, she launched an initiative. In her case it was the “Be Best” campaign to stop cyberbullying and focus on the wellbeing of children. She would often visit schools and read to children, visit veterans, and carry out other first lady activities. But unlike previous first ladies, she didn’t follow that up with speeches or press conferences.
And past first ladies – Michelle Obama and Laura Bush – were campaign surrogates entirely comfortable speaking to big crowds. The more introverted Melania Trump is not keen on hitting the campaign trail, according to the New York Times.
“Cloistered behind the gates of her three homes, she sticks to a small circle — her son, her elderly parents and a handful of old friends. She visits her hairdressers, consults with Hervé Pierre, her longtime stylist, and sometimes meets her husband for Friday night dinner at their clubs,” the Times story says. “But her most ardent pursuit is a personal campaign: helping her son, Barron, 17, with his college search.”
Family seems to be paramount to her. Remember, when Donald first became president in 2017, Melania remained in New York with Barron to finish the school year. That was admirable in a world where political couples usually expect their children to sacrifice for them.
On another front, we do know some in the Trump family didn’t want another Trump presidential campaign. Daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner decided to bail (or according to the former president asked to bail) on another campaign after being instrumental in policies of the Trump White House for four years.
She might also be jaded. Her unfortunate apparel choice became a significantly embarrassing news story once. Her one-time press secretary Stephanie Grisham stabbed her family in the back by cashing in on a tell-all book deal.
It could be that she’s not on board with another run, but doesn’t make a thing of it.
At any rate, we’ve grown accustomed to a version of a first lady – or candidate spouse – that might not fit in Melania’s plans. If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Barbara Joanna Lucas is a writer and researcher in Northern Virginia. She has been a healthcare professional, political blogger, is a proud dog mom, and news junkie.
From 19FortyFive
