The ‘existing style’ of the White House during the Obamas’ tenure was sharply criticized by Melania Trump in her biography. When the First Lady recounted her experience of discovering the White House in 2017, she did not hold back in expressing her thoughts.
In the book, Melania, she detailed the upgrades and changes the Trump family believed were necessary upon taking possession of the property. She revealed that the Obamas had denied the family ‘crucial’ early access to the residence, which would have allowed them to begin moving in and making adjustments.
Melania emphasized that this early access was a ‘customary’ tradition that had been followed for decades. However, she noted that ‘protocols and politics’ interfered, disrupting what should have been a smooth transition.
In the 256-page book, she wrote: “Unfortunately, my plans to begin preparing the residence before the inauguration were disrupted by protocols and politics. Sadly, our team did not receive the access we had requested to visit the White House residence in December.”
At the time, Melania, a single mother, was also focused on finding a suitable school in Washington, DC, for her son, Barron. She explained: “While the logistics of relocating can be challenging, my priority was to create a sense of stability and familiarity for Barron during this transition. I was dedicated to ensuring that he had a smooth and positive experience.”
Reflecting on the delayed transition process, she added: “This setback delayed the planning process, and I was only able to begin renovations after the inauguration, once we were already in the White House. Those three weeks would have been crucial for taking measurements, gathering plans, and starting preparations.”
She also highlighted the importance of Barron’s room, stating: “Barron’s room was a priority. He was the first young boy to live in the White House since John Kennedy Jr., and the children’s bedrooms had been decorated for girls for sixty years. It was important to create a space that suited Barron’s interests and made him feel at home.”
Melania also acknowledged during this period that she might not always reside with her husband in the White House. Instead, she planned to divide her time between Florida, New York, and Washington, DC, to balance her family’s needs and responsibilities.