Melania Trump has been notably absent in the last few weeks amidst the government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. But there is precedence to the FLOTUS’ actions as she behaved similarly last year, although the controversy at the time involves Donald Trump’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels.
Right now, it’s been reported that Melania Trump is currently in Mar-a-Lago. According to the New York Post, the FLOTUS went to Palm Beach, Florida using a government jet. The revelation comes after Donald Trump canceled Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops.
Politico writer Jake Sherman apparently made the discovery by monitoring air traffic control and hearing that EXEC1F is traveling to Florida. “EXEC1F appears to be headed to Palm Beach. ATC just said they will have to do some serious vectoring to get the plane in line with the rest of the Palm Beach traffic. EXEC1F is typically the callsign for a plane with the first lady on it,” Sherman said via Twitter. As for the effect of the government shutdown on Melania Trump’s staff, the FLOTUS’ people said to have been reduced from 10 to 5.
The White House’s own residence staff is also heavily affected with their number whittled down from 79 to 21. What’s more, Melania Trump’s own role has also been hit by the impasse including her duties of overseeing the tourists visiting the White House. However, it seems that the FLOTUS is busying herself amidst the shutdown and is apparently using the time strategizing on her “Be Best” campaign, Vanity Fair reported.
“We are in the planning phase for 2019 in terms of ‘Be Best’ and annual functions at the White House,” said Stephanie Grisham, the FLOTUS’ representative. It can be recalled that Grisham voiced her sentiments regarding the media’s unfair treatment of Melania Trump, citing “consistent negative coverage” of news outlets in the country.