Melania Trump’s team has issued a statement confirming that the incoming First Lady will not be meeting with Jill Biden at the White House.
The statement, which was released on social media, came ahead of Donald Trump’s own meeting with outgoing President Joe Biden at the Oval Office this afternoon.
In the statement, Melania Trump’s team said: “Mrs Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House.
“Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.
Melania Trump’s team issued a statement over X (formerly Twitter)
“In this instance, several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information. Be discerning with your source of news.”
The announcement comes after rumours circulated online speculating the potential reasons behind Melania declining the traditional meeting between the incoming and outgoing presidential spouses.
Although scheduling conflicts related to Melania’s new memoir were reported to be the reason, an insider source said Melania is still upset over the FBI’s raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in 2022.
The source told the New York Post: “She ain’t going. Jill Biden’s husband authorised the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting.”
“Jill Biden isn’t someone Melania needs to meet,” the source added.
Melania Trump called the Mar-a-Lago raid an “invasion of privacy”
GETTY
Earlier this year, Melania called the raid an “invasion of privacy” and said it should serve as a warning to all Americans that their rights and freedom should be respected.
Except for 2020, when Trump declined to invite the Bidens after claims of election fraud, it has been tradition for the current First Lady to host her successor at the White House.
Melania is expected to continue to break tradition as First Lady, opting not to live full-time at the White House and insisting on a more private life.
President Biden also invited president-elect Donald Trump to the Oval Office, a symbolic gesture to show the world that there will be a peaceful transition of power.
Unlike his wife, Donald Trump accepted the invitation and is currently meeting with the 46th President.
It has been reported that the pair were joined by Jill, who gave the incoming President a letter for Melania, expressing her team’s readiness to help with the transition.