WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The West Wing has been moving at 100 mph since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, but the East Wing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is yet to have its lights turned on.
Its been 12 days since the last public sighting of first lady Melania Trump, who said during the campaign that she’d be splitting her time between the nation’s capital and New York, where the couple’s son, Barron, is in the middle of his school year.
When President Trump boarded Marine One Wednesday to pay his respects to the family of a fallen service member, he was accompanied by his daughter, Ivanka — a reminder that she is the closest family he has in Washington.
The first lady’s last public appearance came on Jan. 21, when she attended a post-inauguration multi-faith prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral. The next day, which coincided with her and the president’s 12th wedding anniversary, she returned to New York, with young Barron in tow.
A spokeswoman for the first lady said she’s returned to Trump Tower, temporarily.
“The first lady thanks everyone for their support and a beautiful welcome to Washington. She is returning to New York in advance of the school week and will be splitting her time between Washington and New York for the next few weeks,” the spokeswoman told CNN.
But she has not returned to D.C. since.
The first lady’s spokeswoman also shot down reports that Melania Trump would not be moving to Washington at all.
“That report is not true,” she said.
Without the presence of a full-time first lady, the typical duties of that part of the White House are left at a literal standstill. Not only has Melania Trump not hired a staff, she hasn’t officially announced a platform of official causes, a schedule of events, or even a Washington calendar. The first lady typically hires a staff of between 20 and 30 people to run three stations — social office, communications team and public outreach.
Melania Trump has been actively been conducting interviews for staffing posts over the past several weeks, though, and some names have been floated.
Though she made few public appearances on the campaign trail, her high-profile speech during August’s Republican National Convention quickly developed into a controversy when it was discovered she plagiarized part of her speech from Michelle Obama. But her speech also provided rare insight into the relationship she has with the president. “He is tough when he has to be, but he is also kind and fair and caring. This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with,” she said at the convention.
During the transition, the President told reporters said his wife and youngest son would join him “very soon. Right after he finishes school.”