Washington: Former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews has claimed that Melania Trump was rarely present at the White House during Donald Trump’s first presidency, saying she did not meet the first lady despite working closely with the administration.
Matthews made the remarks during an appearance on the On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella podcast hosted by MeidasTouch. She said she worked for Trump’s 2020 campaign for about a year before joining the White House, but Melania was the only person she never personally met during that period.
According to Matthews, Melania generally preferred to stay away from the White House. She described her limited presence as something that was widely known among people working around the administration.
Matthews also claimed that Melania preferred spending time in New York and did not particularly like living in the White House. She alleged that the first lady had described the building negatively, saying it was “old and falling apart.” These comments are Matthews’ recollections and have not been independently verified.
The former White House official further made a separate claim that Melania was paid to appear at some campaign events alongside her husband. However, she did not provide evidence for the allegation, and the claim has not been independently verified.
Matthews served as a deputy White House press secretary during Trump’s first term. She resigned from her position in January 2021 following the attack on the US Capitol. At the time, she said she was disturbed by the events and supported a peaceful transition of power.
The latest comments have renewed attention on Melania Trump’s relatively low public profile. Her limited appearances have also been noticeable during Donald Trump’s second presidency.
Melania recently returned to the public spotlight after more than a month away from public events. On August 20, she appeared in the White House Rose Garden for an event connected to her Fostering the Future initiative. She jokingly acknowledged her absence by telling those gathered, “I heard you missed me.”
Her recent public appearances have remained relatively limited compared with those of several previous first ladies. Reports have highlighted her selective approach to public engagements, although her team has continued to emphasise her work on initiatives involving children and education.
Matthews’ remarks, meanwhile, remain personal claims from a former administration official rather than independently established facts. They have nevertheless drawn fresh interest because of Melania’s unusually private approach to her role as first lady.
The comments add to the continuing discussion around how Melania has chosen to balance her public responsibilities, family life and personal interests while her husband serves as president.
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