First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly turned down an invitation from current First Lady Jill Biden to meet over tea at the White House, citing lingering frustrations over the 2022 FBI raid on her Mar-a-Lago residence. This invitation was extended ahead of President Biden’s planned meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, as the White House prepares for a highly anticipated transfer of power.
Sources close to the former First Lady tell the “New York Post” that Melania’s decision is directly related to the controversial raid, which was part of an ongoing federal investigation into her husband’s handling of classified documents. In the raid, agents searched the Trumps’ Mar-a-Lago estate, seizing boxes of documents that the Justice Department alleges were improperly stored post-presidency.
The raid reportedly left Melania feeling invaded, and she has been vocal about her anger toward the incident. In a rare public statement last September, she called it an “invasion of privacy,” stating that her private residence had been unnecessarily compromised. The former First Lady’s reaction has remained steadfast, with recent reports suggesting that this unresolved frustration influenced her decision to decline Jill Biden’s overture.
While this traditional tea gathering is usually an amicable meeting where first ladies discuss their shared responsibilities, Melania’s absence could signal the depth of current political divides. Nevertheless, President-elect Trump is set to visit the White House tomorrow, as President Biden hosts him for what many hope will be a constructive, if complex, transition process. Sources suggest that the two men are expected to discuss several pressing national matters, but whether Melania’s decision will overshadow their meeting remains uncertain.
