Melania Trump Allegedly 'Didn't Want To Be Around' White House, Former Trump Aide Claims

Melania Trump reportedly kept her distance from the White House during Donald Trump's first presidency, according to a former senior aide, who claims her absence was so noticeable it became a recognised feature of life inside the administration.

Sarah Matthews, who served as a deputy White House press secretary, said she never met the first lady despite working for Trump during his campaign and in the White House.

Matthews made the remarks during an appearance on the On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella podcast, where she reflected on her time in the Trump administration.

She said she had met members of the Trump family and senior officials but had never had a personal encounter with Melania, describing the first lady as rarely present at the White House.

A First Lady Who Kept Her Distance

During MeidasTouch's On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella on 23 August, Matthews recounted that Melania's presence was not viewed inside the administration as a temporary arrangement.

The former aide claimed it was generally understood that the first lady did not want to spend much time at the White House.

'When I was working on the campaign for a year and then at the White House for the last seven months of the first admin, I met the vice-president, I met almost every cabinet official. I met members of the first family; I met all of them at one point or another.

'The only person I never met was Melania Trump,' Matthews remarked. She also alleged that Melania preferred to stay in New York and pursue her own interests rather than make the presidential residence the centre of her life.

'That kind of sums it up, where it was this known thing that she was just not around, and she didn't want to be around,' adding that Melania viewed the White House as 'old and falling apart,' and that she 'wanted to be in New York and do her own thing.'

Matthews further claimed that Melania had little enthusiasm for living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Her comments portray a first lady who was uncomfortable with the demands and setting of the role, although they represent Matthews' recollection rather than a statement from Melania herself.

Melania's Reluctance Was Reported Before

Reports questioning Melania Trump's enthusiasm for the role of first lady emerged during the early months of Donald Trump's first presidency. A November 2017 Vanity Fair report cited people close to the Trump family who claimed Melania had not expected her husband to win the 2016 election and had not wanted the position that came with his victory. The report also described a relatively small East Wing operation and examined her limited public presence.

Melania's approach to the role was notably private. She focused on selected causes, including the BE BEST initiative, which she launched in 2018 to promote children's wellbeing. The White House says she promoted the programme across the US and internationally during Trump's first term.

Her Absence Drew Attention

Melania's periods away from Washington became particularly noticeable during Trump's first term. In 2018, she spent time in Florida around the period when Stormy Daniels gave a televised interview about her alleged relationship with Trump.

Her distance from Washington has continued to attract attention during Trump's second presidency. Recent reports have noted her relatively limited public appearances and periods away from the White House, while she has continued to divide her time between various Trump properties and other commitments.