First Lady Melania Trump has assumed a notably reserved role in her White House responsibilities during the initial months of President Donald Trump’s second term. She has spent limited time in Washington, D.C., directing her efforts towards personal projects and family obligations.
According to recent reports, Mrs. Trump has been at the White House for fewer than 14 days since her husband’s inauguration 108 days ago. Her time has primarily been split between Trump Tower in New York City, New York, and the family’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Sources familiar with the administration suggest that the First Lady has maintained a low public profile, making only a few appearances, such as at the White House Easter Egg Roll and the State Department’s International Women of Courage awards ceremony. She also led a tribute to former First Lady Barbara Bush on May 8, 2025, in the East Room, where the US Postal Service unveiled a stamp with Bush’s portrait.
Mrs. Trump’s limited Washington presence reflects her approach from her husband’s first term, when she stayed in New York so their son Barron could complete the school year. Barron is now a freshman at New York University’s Stern School of Business, which may influence Mrs. Trump’s time in Manhattan, New York.
In a pre-inauguration interview with Fox News, Mrs. Trump explained her living arrangements: “I will be in the White House. And, you know, when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach,” she said. “But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife.”
Despite her absence from Washington, Mrs. Trump has been filming a documentary about her life, which she has licensed to Amazon for $40 million. Production of the documentary began in November 2024 and is directed by Brett Ratner, who is returning to filmmaking after facing allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017.
In a January interview on “Fox & Friends,” Mrs. Trump described the documentary’s scope as covering “day-to-day life, what I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have. People, they don’t really know and they will see it.”
The documentary will provide insight into Mrs. Trump’s return to the White House, showcasing her process of establishing her team, setting up the First Lady’s office, and personalizing the residence.
According to industry sources, the Amazon deal is quite lucrative for the First Lady. The Wall Street Journal reports that she will receive over 70% of the $40 million licensing fee. The documentary is planned for a limited theatrical release and streaming on Amazon Prime Video in late 2025.
Amazon describes the documentary as offering an “unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at First Lady Melania Trump.” The company stated, “We are excited to share this truly unique story with our millions of customers around the world.”
Mrs. Trump’s limited presence at the White House has led to President Trump assuming some traditional first lady duties, such as making decisions about White House decor. He has reportedly added more flags, portraits, and gold finishes to the Oval Office.
While Melania’s absence from Washington has spurred speculation, those close to her describe her approach as in line with her independent nature. A source quoted in People magazine mentioned that she “couldn’t care less how she looks politically” and “doesn’t believe she has obligations in the political world.”
White House officials affirm that Mrs. Trump effectively fulfills her role despite her limited presence in Washington. Administration representatives have stated that she is at the White House more frequently than is publicly known and enjoys her role as first lady.
This documentary project follows the release of Mrs. Trump’s memoir, “Melania,” in October 2024, which became a bestseller. In promotional interviews, she expressed confidence about returning to the White House during Trump’s second term.
The relationship between Amazon and the Trump administration has received attention, with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos expressing optimism about Trump’s second term. Beyond licensing Mrs. Trump’s documentary, Amazon donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and streamed the ceremony on its Prime Video platform.
