In an interview with Fox & Friends, Melania Trump, whose husband Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States for the second time on January 20, shared her perspective on returning to the White House as First Lady. When asked about differences between their current move and their first transition after the Obama administration, Melania didn’t hold back.
“The difference is I know where I will be going. I know the rooms where we will be living. I know the process,” she said.
She added, “The first time was challenging, we didn’t have much of the information. The information was withheld from us by the previous administration.”
Criticism of the Obama Administration
In her book, titled Melania, the Slovenian-born former model detailed how the Obamas denied the Trump family crucial early access to the White House residence, which caused delays in renovations.
“Unfortunately, my plans to begin preparing the residence before the inauguration were disrupted by protocols and politics,” Melania wrote in her bestselling memoir.
She also revealed, “Sadly, our team did not receive the access we had requested to visit the White House residence in December.”
Focus on Stability for Barron
During the transition, Melania’s priority was to ensure a stable environment for her son, Barron, who was attending Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in New York City at the time. She and Barron only moved to the White House after the end of the school year.
“While the logistics of relocating can be challenging, my priority was to create a sense of stability and familiarity for Barron during this transition,” she explained.
“I was dedicated to ensuring that he had a smooth and positive experience,” she added.
Renovations and Broken Traditions
Melania recalled that she began the renovations only after moving into the White House because the Obamas broke what she described as a “customary” tradition.
“Those three weeks would have been crucial for taking measurements, gathering plans, and starting preparations,” she noted.
She further opened up about the state of the White House residence when Donald Trump took office, writing, “The existing style was outdated or not to my taste.”
Barron’s room was a priority for the First Lady. As the first young boy to live in the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr., Melania wanted to create a space that suited her son’s needs.
“The children’s bedrooms had been decorated for girls for sixty years,” she wrote. “I wanted to ensure Barron had a place that felt right for him.”
Michelle Obama’s Absence
Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend her husband’s swearing-in ceremony when Donald Trump took office.
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