Melania Trump is one of the few first ladies in the history of the presidency to delay moving into the White House. The Trumps made it clear they wanted their son, Barron Trump, to be able to finish school in New York without interruption, yet questions remain about the level of involvement Melania will assume in the East Wing.
Back in 1999, Melania had a much different vision for her theoretical role as FLOTUS: "I would be very traditional. Like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him," she told The New York Times. Seventeen years later, Melania drastically changed her tune, telling GQ, "I chose not to go into politics and policy. Those policies are my husband's job." Her position changed again just days before the election, when she announced that one of her key issues as first lady would be to combat cyber-bullying, which many found ironic considering Donald Trump's penchant for slinging barbs via Twitter.
Scrutiny over Melania's role as FLOTUS intensified after Donald's daughter, Ivanka Trump, assumed an official role as special adviser to the president, creating much speculation that Ivanka could be the one performing duties typically reserved for the first lady.
That assessment shifted again during Donald's first official overseas trip. Melania accompanied him, and, according to many accounts, salvaged what could have been a diplomatic disaster. Aside from the aforementioned hand-holding snub, Melania essentially stole the entire international show, charming Pope Francis with small talk and making headlines with her fashion choices. Of her performance during the trip, Donald himself was reportedly overheard aboard Air Force One describing her as "Jackie O on steroids."
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