Melania Trump opts out of White House meeting with Jill Biden, sources say

Former First Lady Melania Trump will not be attending the traditional White House meeting with Jill Biden, according to sources. The meeting, usually scheduled between outgoing and incoming first ladies, serves as a gesture of goodwill and smooth transition for the incoming administration. Scheduled for Wednesday, the event was expected to mark a cordial interaction between the Trumps and Bidens as per long-standing White House protocol.

A source close to the matter informed CNN that Melania’s absence may be linked to a scheduling issue, though no formal confirmation has been made. Jill Biden’s office, in a statement, mentioned that they had extended an invitation to the Trumps, congratulating them on their achievements and proposing the customary White House meeting. The decision, however, appears to have leaned towards non-participation on Melania’s part, despite the Bidens’ invitation.

This year’s transition reflects a break from the usual White House traditions, similar to the 2020 transition when no formal meeting took place. Melania’s absence from the meeting follows the precedent set in 2020, where the transition was marked by political tensions as Donald Trump declined to meet with Joe Biden, contesting the election results. A previous example of the meeting’s spirit can be seen in 2016 when Trump and then-President Barack Obama met for a cordial discussion, which Trump later described as “respectful.”

Melania Trump’s team has yet to release an official comment on the decision, leaving the specifics of her absence to speculation.