Melania Trump recently accused the Obamas of making Donald Trump’s first term more difficult. During an interview on Fox & Friends, she said that former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama made her husband’s first White House transition difficult. According to her, the Obamas “withheld” important information when Donald Trump became president in 2017.
“The first time was challenging, we didn’t have much of the information,” Melania said. She explained how this made it harder for her husband to settle into his new role as president. “The information was withheld from us by the previous administration,” she added, blaming the Obamas for the rough start.
In the United States, presidential transitions are usually smooth. Outgoing presidents ensure the new team has everything they need to start working. For example, George W. Bush went to great lengths to ensure Barack Obama’s team was ready in 2008. His administration held meetings, prepared documents, and even conducted emergency simulations to help Obama’s team prepare for crises. The transition in 2017 was messy, but not because of the Obamas. Reports at the time showed that Trump’s own team faced significant delays. Shortly after the election, Trump fired Chris Christie, the head of the transition team. This left them scrambling to organize their plans. Now, was it the Obamas’ fault, or were there issues within Trump’s team?
Now that Donald Trump is preparing for his second term, Melania says the situation is much better. “This time, I have everything… it’s a very different transition this time,” she said. She went on to explain that she already has her plans in place. “I have the plans; I already packed; I have selected the furniture,” she said confidently. Melania also said she feels more confident about her role in the White House. “Maybe some people see me as just a wife of the president, but I’m standing on my own two feet, independent,” she explained. “I have my own thoughts; I have my own, ‘yes’ and ‘no.’”
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The tension between the Trumps and Obamas is no secret. Michelle Obama recently announced that she would not attend Trump’s second inauguration. This news comes after years of public disagreements between the two families.
Michelle, who once said, “When they go low, we go high,” has often criticized Donald Trump’s behavior. She has spoken out against his treatment of women and minorities and his policies. At one rally for Kamala Harris, she urged men to support the vice president. “I am asking y’all, from the core of my being, to take our lives seriously,” she said. While Michelle Obama will not attend, other former presidents and their spouses, including the Clintons, the Bushes, and the Bidens, are expected to attend.
As Melania said, “We have a lot to do to put the country back in shape.” Only time will tell if the Trumps are better prepared this time around. For now, Americans can only watch and wait.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
