President Donald Trump’s White House residence is about to get a little less lonely, as first lady Melania Trump and the couple’s son Barron are expected to finally make their official move to Washington on June 14, according to people familiar with the planning, Politico writes.
Melania is the first first lady in modern history to delay her arrival.
“Her presence is not going to stop any investigations, but at a time when this particular presidency needs an air of stability, it might lend that. The move helps to give the impression that the president is currently in a stable, solid marriage and that his home life is under control”, said Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University who specializes in first lady studies.
Melania Trump’s parents, Victor and Amalija Knavs, are also expected to become more familiar figures around the White House, helping care for Barron, though they don’t plan to relocate full time to Washington, as Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, did. The grandparents currently live with their daughter and grandson in the Trump Tower penthouse and spend most weekends with the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago, or at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Over the past few weeks, the first lady has been spending more time in the White House, building out her East Wing staff, preparing the residence for the family and slowly increasing her schedule of public events.
“I’m very happy she’s moving here. She’s a strong influence and personality, and I think she comforts him”, said Sam Nunberg, a former Trump campaign aide who has spent time with the couple.
Friends and White House officials insist Melania is quietly but carefully following the day-to-day business of the West Wing and extremely protective of her husband’s image and agenda.
Trump, some of his aides said, often speaks to his wife on the phone multiple times a day, calling her for advice and referencing her in conversations. “I do think Donald listens to his wife and respects her opinions on things tremendously,” Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a longtime Mar-a-Lago member and Trump confidant said.
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