Melania Trump, along with husband Donald, will leave office tomorrow, on January 20, to make way for Jill Biden to take up the first lady position.
While Melania is not attracting the same level of criticism as her husband, she has bucked the trend for first ladies, who are usually quite popular with the general public.
As Melania’s term as the first lady comes to an end, her approval ratings are the worst ever recorded for a departing FLOTUS.
Melania’s unfavourability rating at a historic 47%, the highest not just of her tenure but of any first lady, according to a CNN poll. Her favorable rating was 42%, with 12% of respondents uncertain of their feelings.
Since Pat Nixon, polling has been recorded on first ladies’ popularity.
Prior to Trump taking office, the average final popularity for a first lady was 71% with an unpopularity rating of 21%.
Hillary Clinton is the only other first lady to leave the White House with a net approval rating lower than 40%, with a 52% favorable rating and 39% unfavorable.
While Laura Bush and Michelle Obama both departed with 69% favorable ratings —which is considered to be relatively normal — Barbara Bush is still the woman to beat, having left with an 85% favorable rating back in 1995.
Dr. Jill Biden is coming into office with a 58% to a 29% unfavorable rating.
While Melania has never attracted criticisms, she is now in hot waters by not inviting the incoming FLOTUS for the traditional ‘tea and tour’ of the White House’s living quarters.