Melania Trump Reflects on Moving to the White House After the Obamas
In 2017, Melania Trump shared some honest thoughts about the state of the White House as she and the Trump family got ready to move in. These insights are part of her biography, which sheds light on the improvements she felt the residence needed when they arrived.
Melania highlighted some challenges they encountered, especially noting that the Obamas did not grant her family the early access to the White House, a privilege usually extended to incoming residents. This delay, she pointed out, was due to what she called ‘protocols and politics,’ which disturbed the typically smooth transition.
As mentioned in her book, simply titled Melania, she wrote: “Due to the circumstances at the time, my plans to start getting the residence ready before the inauguration were postponed. Unfortunately, our requests to visit and start preparations in December were not approved.”
During this period, she focused particularly on finding a good school in Washington, DC, for her son, Barron. She stressed how important it was to provide stability and comfort for him during such a significant move.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition for Barron
Melania was deeply committed to making sure Barron adjusted as easily as possible. She recalled how the delay forced her to start renovation work only after the family had already settled in, following the inauguration.
The three weeks they lost in preparation, she regretted, would have been critical for planning and beginning the updates she had in mind. Redesigning Barron’s room was a top priority, as he was becoming part of a White House legacy not seen since John Kennedy Jr. With children’s rooms being customized for girls for many years, it was vital to create a boy-friendly atmosphere that matched Barron’s tastes.
Even though Melania implied her time in the White House might not be forever, she intended to balance living between Florida, New York, and Washington, DC.
Her biography provides a fascinating look at the logistical and personal efforts she undertook as she settled into such a significant and public home.
