CNN :
First lady Melania Trump, much like her husband, is operating as though he didn’t lose last week’s election: She has yet to reach out to first lady-elect Jill Biden, a source familiar told CNN on Tuesday.
On this day four years ago, Melania Trump had tea at the White House and a tour of the executive residence, at the invitation of then-first lady Michelle Obama, as is customary. But this time around, any movement towards a transition of the East Wing and the Executive Residence has not begun.
Instead, another source with knowledge of Melania Trump’s daily schedule said there is very little in the way of change taking place at all, and most of the focus of the first lady’s office remains on day-to-day meetings and upcoming holiday planning.
“It’s my understanding that it’s business as usual in the East Wing,” said the source. The source said that even if Melania Trump wanted to begin the process of a transition, the first lady is still hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s baseless refusal to accept Joe Biden’s victory.
“I’m not sure it’s fair for anyone to expect them to start transitioning when the President has not yet conceded,” the source said.
Anita McBride, who served as Laura Bush’s chief of staff, who noted that Melania Trump has occasionally acted or expressed opinions different than her husband, said:
“This moment is more complicated. Her reaching out before he has conceded could be seen as going completely against what the President and the administration are doing.”
The source familiar with Melania Trump’s thinking says when the time does come to acquiesce, the first lady will comply. “If the President concedes, I’m sure the East Wing will be gracious and professional to the incoming administration, that’s just how they work,” the source said.
First lady Melania Trump, much like her husband, is operating as though he didn’t lose last week’s election: She has yet to reach out to first lady-elect Jill Biden, a source familiar told CNN on Tuesday.
On this day four years ago, Melania Trump had tea at the White House and a tour of the executive residence, at the invitation of then-first lady Michelle Obama, as is customary. But this time around, any movement towards a transition of the East Wing and the Executive Residence has not begun.
Instead, another source with knowledge of Melania Trump’s daily schedule said there is very little in the way of change taking place at all, and most of the focus of the first lady’s office remains on day-to-day meetings and upcoming holiday planning.
“It’s my understanding that it’s business as usual in the East Wing,” said the source. The source said that even if Melania Trump wanted to begin the process of a transition, the first lady is still hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s baseless refusal to accept Joe Biden’s victory.
“I’m not sure it’s fair for anyone to expect them to start transitioning when the President has not yet conceded,” the source said.
Anita McBride, who served as Laura Bush’s chief of staff, who noted that Melania Trump has occasionally acted or expressed opinions different than her husband, said:
“This moment is more complicated. Her reaching out before he has conceded could be seen as going completely against what the President and the administration are doing.”
The source familiar with Melania Trump’s thinking says when the time does come to acquiesce, the first lady will comply. “If the President concedes, I’m sure the East Wing will be gracious and professional to the incoming administration, that’s just how they work,” the source said.
