First Ladies Carry On After Melania Trump Declines White House Invitation
The incoming first lady’s absence is a notable break with tradition.
After incoming First Lady Melania Trump declined an invitation from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to meet at the White House Wednesday as part of the time-honored tradition of the peaceful transfer of power, the two first ladies carried on visibly tending to their interests.
Mrs. Trump on Thursday through her social media launched “On the Move,” new digital collectibles she describes as “a series of new photographs capturing my journey. Each image showcases the art of being present while moving forward into an exciting new world.”
The images, which cost $195, feature Trump in various settings including her office, the campaign trail and her home, according to Trump’s website that also houses the sale of her newly released memoir, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and other released digital collectibles. The photographs featured in “On the Move” were captured by the Belgian photographer Regine Mahaux and offer a look into her “fast-moving life.”
Meanwhile Wednesday evening, Biden attended the Countdown to the 250th gala hosted by PHILADELPHIA250 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The gala was hosted in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which will take place in 2026. PHILADELPHIA250’s corporate and community partners, along with community leaders, attended the event, held in a banquet space at Girard College’s Founder’s Hall.
The first lady underscored the purpose of the gathering, to celebrate the founding ideals of the nation.
“Everyone in this room reminds me to keep us reaching for those promises on which our nation was founded,” Biden said. “That we are all created equal. That our rights can never be taken from us.”
Biden drew laughter when talking about the reputation of Philadelphia natives.
“You know, at times, people have told me that Philadelphians are tough, that we're outspoken and loud, and that’s putting it nicely,” she said to laughter. “But what they’re talking about is that same grit that made this country.
“Yes, we are tough. We’re fierce. When we get knocked down we get back up and we never stop fighting for the things that we care about, the people that we care about. What you’re doing today is part of that great tradition, and that’s who Philly taught me to be.”
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell also spoke, paying tribute to Biden.
“I think history will show that there’s never been a better first lady than Jill Biden,” he said later, touting Biden’s educational and career accomplishments.
Biden closed her remarks saying, “It’s been the honor of this Philly girl’s lifetime to serve as your first lady.”
Earlier Wednesday, Dr. Biden joined President Biden to kick off the Classroom to Career Summit at the White House highlighting progress in expanding career pathways as part of the administration’s Investing in America agenda.
Mrs. Trump, through her office, confirmed on Wednesday on social media that she would not attend the meeting at the White House. The departure from the norm touched off a flurry of discussion in media reports and on social media.
The first lady joined President Joe Biden upon President-elect Donald Trump’s arrival to the White House Wednesday, according to Vanessa Valdivia, press secretary to the first lady and special assistant to the president.
“She gave Mr. Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for Mrs. Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition,” Valdivia said on social media.
This isn’t the first time Trump has broken with tradition. In 2016, Trump delayed her move into the White House while her son, Barron, finished the school year. And throughout this election cycle, Trump was rarely seen in public supporting her husband.
“It’s a break of tradition, a century-old tradition where the incoming first lady meets with the outgoing first lady,” Kate Anderson Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies, said on CNN Wednesday.
“We saw Michelle Obama do it with Melania in 2016. It’s something Rosalynn Carter and Nancy Reagan have done. People from opposing parties always do it,” Brower said, adding. “I think it’s a missed opportunity … and I think it reveals some animosity that Melania must have.”
Mrs. Trump’s Office went on to say: “Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.”
But, then warned:
“In this instance, several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information. Be discerning with your source of news.”