Melania Trump snubs Jill Biden in a final attempt before her exit from the White House.
Media reports confirmed how the current First Lady won’t be giving the new First Lady, Jill Biden, a tour of the White House’s Family Wing. This acts breaks years of tradition comprising of residence tours by outgoing first ladies to their successors.
For instance, Michelle Obama gave Melania Trump a tour, just like Laura Bush gave her successor Michelle Obama. Moreover, the tradition dates back to the time when Bess Truman gave Mamie Eisenhower a tour in the 1950s.
The action is an example of the lack of outreach, which displays the tensions that exist between the outgoing and incoming administration. CNN.com announced how Melania is set to become the first ‘modern’ first lady not to follow tradition and invite the woman that will replace her.
Usually, a tour of the White House residence is like a simple walk-through of the private living quarters, situated on the 2nd and 3rd floors. It’s an act that dates back to the 1950s when first lady Bess Truman first hosted her successor Mamie Eisenhower.
No matter how tense circumstances of the past may be, every first lady went through with the historic tradition.point 215 |
Usually, the tour accompanies tea when the outgoing president gives the incoming president an invitation for a meeting at the Oval Office.point 117 | However, in this particular case, Trump did not extend his hand forward towards inviting Joe Biden.point 201 | 1
The last time Melania Trump and Jill Biden came face to face was in October 2020, during the event of a presidential debate. Shockingly, both women didn’t interact with one another at all.
On the other hand, reports confirmed how both Joe and Jill Biden aren’t new when it comes to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.point 218 |
Joe Biden was vice president during Obama’s reign, which lasted for 8 long years.point 74 | In the same way, the couple was very close to the Obamas too.point 123 | Some of Biden’s grandchildren also went to the same school as the Obama girls, further strengthening the ties between both families.point 241 | 1
While Melania’s attempt of breaking historic tradition did raise eyebrows, it doesn’t surprise many people as the Trumps aren’t even attending the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden either.