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What to Expect Once Melania Moves Into the White House
Town & Country ^ | May 30, 2017 | Caroline Hallemann

Posted on 05/30/2017 11:54:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

For the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, his wife Melania has largely kept out of the public eye, so much so that her notable absence from the duties of a modern first lady has prompted speculation regarding both her marriage and her state of mind.

As she and Barron make their move to D.C. this summer, many are left wondering what, if anything, we can expect to see change about her position in the Trump administration.

Here’s how she may reshape her role—and the White House itself:

Melania will probably make a few new hires in the East Wing.

As of right now, Melania's staff consists of just a handful of advisers: Chief of Staff Lindsay Reynolds, Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd, Senior Adviser Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, and Communications Director Stephanie Grisham. There are no requirements for how many federal employees should operate out of the East Wing of the White House, but given the precedent set by Michelle Obama, who had a staff of 24, Laura Bush who had a team of 18, and Hillary Clinton, who had 19, we can expect Melania to hire few more people.

And she could influence who works for her husband.

Much like the president, Melania is concerned about the chaotic state in which the White House has found itself in recent weeks. "She was really concerned that Spicer was not doing a good job, that they were not proactive in defending the president," a source told Politico. "The leaks bother her. She believes a lot of people are more interested in serving themselves than him."

Loyalty and the opinions of those who have known him longest are of utmost importance to President Trump, and the opinions of another close family member could sway his decisions about who stays and who goes.

She’ll continue to put her touch on the White House decor.

After the initial announcement that Tham Kannalikham would serve as White House Decorator, we've heard very little about the changes Melania is making to the first family's residence.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, senior advisor to the first lady, told WWD, "Mrs. Trump has a deep appreciation for the historical aspects of the White House and with Tham’s traditional design and expertise, they are focusing on a seamless integration of elegance and comfort into where the President, the First Lady, and [their son] Barron will be spending their family time and calling their home."

One can imagine she'll want to show off the space once she settles in.

She wants to serve the traditional role of first hostess.

Jackie Kennedy's influence on Melania appears to extend beyond the sartorial. According to the New York Daily News, the first lady hopes to focus on entertaining once she arrives in D.C. She sees event planning (as well as public-facing programs like reopening the White House for tours) as a way she can make her mark.

Reports also suggest that the move could coincide with a shift in Melania’s personal aesthetic.

The Daily News also suggests that the first lady is changing her look. Not only is she lightening up her hair with balayage, but she's also adapting her wardrobe to fit the D.C. scene.

“Herve Pierre did her inauguration dress and the two of them are huddling to do more elegant gowns for entertaining in the White House,” a source told the paper. “She wants her dresses modern, sleek, and form fitting.”

She could focus in on a cause.

During Trump's presidential campaign, Melania announced that if she were to become first lady, she would focus on combatting and preventing cyberbullying.

"We have to find a better way to talk to each other, to disagree with each other, to respect each other," she said, during a speech on the trail. "We must find better ways to honor and support the basic goodness of our children, especially in social media. It will be one of the main focuses of my work if I'm privileged enough to become your first lady."

However, following Trump's inauguration, Melania hasn't made mention of her chosen cause. Perhaps once she moves to D.C. she will enthusiastically take on advocacy work in the field.

Or maybe not!

Melania has made it clear that motherhood is her top priority. She once said "I am a full-time mom; that is my first job. The most important job ever," and nothing, not her husband’s presidency—not her role of first lady, and certainly not a move to the White House—is going to change that.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Chit/Chat; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: barron; fashion; firstlady; firstladymelania; flotus; flotusmelania; maga; melania; melaniatrump; trump; whitehouse
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Yes, it looks like Town & Country magazine still exists. Who knew?
1 posted on 05/30/2017 11:54:58 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What’s the name of the writer that wrote her convention speech and PLAGARIZED Moochelle?? SHE BETTER NOT BE ON HER STAFF!!


2 posted on 05/31/2017 3:11:17 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: LucyT; WildHighlander57; onyx; NIKK; Jane Long

Someone please ping K C. I’ve got something wrong in name and it won’t post


3 posted on 05/31/2017 3:16:06 AM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Wasn't that a station wagon, years decades ago?
4 posted on 05/31/2017 4:28:52 AM PDT by Carriage Hill ( Poor demoncrats haven't been this mad, since the Republicans took their slaves away.)
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To: carriage_hill

5 posted on 05/31/2017 4:36:18 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: hoosiermama; 2ndDivisionVet; LucyT; WildHighlander57; onyx; NIKK; Jane Long; Right_in_Virginia; ...
Thank You Hoosiermama alerting other great freepers so they could direct me to this thread :D

Ping to First Lady Melania's List!


6 posted on 05/31/2017 4:40:42 AM PDT by KC_Lion (Proud Keeper of the Sarah Palin and New First Lady Melania Ping Lists. Let me know if you want on.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Herve Pierre powder blue inauguration dress is my absolute fave so far, of all her gorgeous outfits.


7 posted on 05/31/2017 4:54:16 AM PDT by b9
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To: Ann Archy
I hope that Melania chooses to keep a very small staff. Anyone she brings in should be people who worked for her in private life, and are proven to be 100% loyal. Keep DC swampthings out of the WH!

Melania has by her actions shown that she is genuinely compassionate about children who are ill and victims of abuse. We haven't seen someone who's honestly proactive in visiting with them and listening to them, ever before. I predict that Melania will have an incredible following of young people who will be inspired by her empathy and accomplishments!

8 posted on 05/31/2017 4:59:29 AM PDT by grania (only a pawn in their game)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

She’ll bring class to the White House. Baron, don’t hide under your dad’s desk (like the last boy in the White House) or bring a horse to your bedroom (Taft’s son did that).


9 posted on 05/31/2017 5:10:39 AM PDT by Deplorable American1776 (Proud to be a DeplorableAmerican with a Deplorable Family...even the dog is DEPLORABLE :-))
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To: Deplorable American1776

BarRON is already close to six foot tall. He might lift the desk but won’t be able to get under it. Since he can hit a golf ball over a mile the White House windows may be in danger — no using the yard for a driving range


10 posted on 05/31/2017 6:28:49 AM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: b9

My favorite was the very simple white dress she wore in Isreal It was designed by an English designer. But the material appeared to be made by the same weaver who makes prayer shawls.
It was so subtle. And oh so significant


11 posted on 05/31/2017 6:33:30 AM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: hoosiermama

Prayer shawls for men (tallit) are usually or almost always made of wool.


12 posted on 05/31/2017 6:39:41 AM PDT by jjotto ("Ya could look it up!")
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To: hoosiermama
Barron is already close to six foot tall.

I'm looking forward to seeing him dunking the ball on that court Obama used to play on.

13 posted on 05/31/2017 6:45:54 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: mac_truck

Remember last fall when Coach Knight was at Trump Tower coaching POTUS for the debate. Some of us knew Coach was actually there to recruit Barron!


14 posted on 05/31/2017 8:34:11 AM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: jjotto

Go to Amazon
Look for Christian prayer shawls for women made in Jersulum
Bought three for Christmas presents


15 posted on 05/31/2017 8:36:30 AM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I want only the most loyal of the loyal around this lovely lady. Fire at will and hand-pick your closest advisors, Mrs. Trump!

*TRUMP BUMP*


16 posted on 05/31/2017 9:11:34 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set!)
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To: b9

That powder blue outfit was by Ralph Lauren. I think the inauguration outfit by Herve Pierre was the evening gown she wore to the galas.


17 posted on 05/31/2017 9:52:01 AM PDT by ELS
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To: Deplorable American1776

He’s 11 years old and almost six feet tall. I doubt he’ll be under his father’s desk. The horse thing would be funny though. Can you imagine the media’s take on that?


18 posted on 05/31/2017 11:18:38 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I’m still not convinced she’s going to move to D.C. Barron is the most important person in the world to her, and especially after this Kathy Griffin horror show I would think she’d want to protect him from the things like that. And in New York where he’s surrounded by his friends is the best place for that.


19 posted on 05/31/2017 11:26:25 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: DoodleDawg

They’ve already picked out a school.


20 posted on 05/31/2017 11:39:12 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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