begin quote from:
Melania Trump is moving to the White House
Melania Trump moves in
Story highlights
- The first lady has lived in New York City so far
- She traveled with Trump on his first presidential international trip
(CNN)The White House East Wing has thus far been functioning with a first lady in absentia -- but soon, that will change.
Melania
Trump -- who has performed duties as she can, when she can, during her
brief visits to Washington over the past five months -- has been far
from a regular presence at the White House. The most consecutive days
the public has seen the first lady were in May abroad, when she accompanied President Donald Trump on his first international trip.
Her
choice to remain in the couple's New York City penthouse until their
son, Barron, 11, finishes the school year, while unprecedented, but
certainly is her prerogative as a parent as disruptions are impactful
for children.
But, the time has come.
Melania Trump is finally moving in to the White House, possibly as soon as next week.
"The
plan (to move) is for June, as it has always been, but there is no set
date," her director of communications, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN.
How it works
In February, Trump announced she had selected an interior designer, Tham Kannalikham,
to decorate the family's private living quarters in the White House --
more than a dozen rooms -- a job that presumably is now complete.
Kannalikham did not return a request for comment.
"The
first family's move-in must be flawlessly executed," said Rear Admiral
Stephen Rochon, who served as director of the executive residence and
chief usher at the White House under both Presidents George W. Bush and
Barack Obama, until 2011.
"Very
importantly, décor of the rooms for Mrs. Trump and her son must be
closely coordinated with the first lady's interior decorator. Hopefully,
many of these things were done before President Trump moved in more
than 100 days ago," Rochon said.
Rochon was succeeded by Angella Reid, whose surprise departure the White House announced last month with little explanation.
"She
is no longer employed here at the White House," said principal deputy
press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the time. "We left on very
good terms and wish her the very best and certainly hope for great
things for her in the future."
When
he the White House in 2011 for a position at the Department of Homeland
Security, Rochon made sure Reid was prepped for the arrival of the next
President and his or her family.
"I
left a detailed list, and met with (Reid) to answer any questions,"
said Rochon. "I understand that Mrs. Trump's son's comfort is her top
priority, so the chief usher must do everything possible not to
disappoint her. (Moving to the White House) can, indeed, be organized
chaos."
But by the time the rest of
the Trump family arrives, they should have everything they need at
their fingertips. Clothes will be unpacked in the closets, settled in
the bureaus; toys and books and personal items will already be set up
per the first lady's selection, the fridge stocked with favorite snacks
preferred by the first lady and the littlest Trump.
A
list of personal care products and brands used by the first family
would likely already have been submitted for the East Wing staff to
collect and have on hand.
"It's
definitely a '10' on the scale of exciting moves that we have handled,"
says Chuck Kuhn, president and CEO of JK Moving Services, a
Virginia-based moving company that has both moved presidents into -- and
out of -- the White House, including both Bushes and the Clintons.
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump arrives at a joint session of Congress to hear a speech by her husband on Tuesday, February 28.
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Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The President kisses his wife as they are introduced during a rally in Melbourne, Florida, on Saturday, February 18.
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Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady walks with Sara Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, February 15. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington to strengthen US-Israel relations after some strained years during the Obama administration.
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Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Lonnie
Bunch, director of the National Museum of African American History and
Culture, talks with Trump and Netanyahu as they tour the museum in
Washington on February 15.
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16 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump and Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tour the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, on Saturday, February 11. It was Trump's first solo public appearance as first lady.
Hide Caption
17 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before
boarding Air Force One with her husband on Friday, February 10. The
Trumps hosted the Abes at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach,
Florida.
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18 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
Trumps arrive at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach,
Florida, on Sunday, February 5. The Trumps were attending a Super Bowl
party at the club.
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19 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The Trumps arrive for a Red Cross Gala at their Mar-a-Lago estate on Saturday, February 4.
Hide Caption
20 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady walks across the tarmac to greet well-wishers in West Palm Beach on Friday, February 3.
Hide Caption
21 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump gives a speech during one of the inaugural balls in Washington on Friday, January 20.
Hide Caption
22 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady dances with her husband at an inaugural ball on January 20.
Hide Caption
23 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady leaves the President's Room of the Senate after her husband was sworn into office on January 20.
Hide Caption
24 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Melania
Trump, the first lady of the United States, arrives at the Vatican for a
meeting with Pope Francis on Wednesday, May 24. With Vatican protocol in mind, she wore a black veil and long-sleeved black dress draped down to her calf.
Hide Caption
1 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump visits a pediatric hospital in Vatican City on May 24.
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Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady visits the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on Monday, May 22.
Hide Caption
3 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
A video clip went viral
May 22 after the first lady appeared to swat her husband's hand away
after landing in Israel. It's unclear what caused the swat, if anything.
The Trumps held hands minutes later on the tarmac. They also held hands
multiple times during their tour of the Middle East.
Hide Caption
4 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady high-fives a child during a visit to the American
International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, May 21.
Hide Caption
5 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef during a ceremony in Riyadh on Saturday, May 20. See more photos from the President's first foreign trip
Hide Caption
6 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Melania Trump is joined by her husband as she speaks at a Mother's Day event at the White House on Friday, May 12.
Hide Caption
7 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady takes part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, April 28, at
the Children's National Health System in Washington. She spoke at the
opening of the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden, where patients and families
can spend time outdoors while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Hide Caption
8 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump listens while her husband speaks to the press in the White House Oval Office on Thursday, April 27.
Hide Caption
9 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady hugs a child at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 17. They were making cards for members of the US military.
Hide Caption
10 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump speaks Wednesday, March 29, at the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awards. She called for women's empowerment and celebration of diversity.
Hide Caption
11 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady's Twitter account posted this photo Friday, March 2, of
Trump reading a book to children at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
"Honoring children #worldbookday," the tweet said.
Hide Caption
12 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump arrives at a joint session of Congress to hear a speech by her husband on Tuesday, February 28.
Hide Caption
13 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The President kisses his wife as they are introduced during a rally in Melbourne, Florida, on Saturday, February 18.
Hide Caption
14 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady walks with Sara Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, February 15. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington to strengthen US-Israel relations after some strained years during the Obama administration.
Hide Caption
15 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Lonnie
Bunch, director of the National Museum of African American History and
Culture, talks with Trump and Netanyahu as they tour the museum in
Washington on February 15.
Hide Caption
16 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump and Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tour the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, on Saturday, February 11. It was Trump's first solo public appearance as first lady.
Hide Caption
17 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before
boarding Air Force One with her husband on Friday, February 10. The
Trumps hosted the Abes at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach,
Florida.
Hide Caption
18 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
Trumps arrive at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach,
Florida, on Sunday, February 5. The Trumps were attending a Super Bowl
party at the club.
Hide Caption
19 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The Trumps arrive for a Red Cross Gala at their Mar-a-Lago estate on Saturday, February 4.
Hide Caption
20 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady walks across the tarmac to greet well-wishers in West Palm Beach on Friday, February 3.
Hide Caption
21 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump gives a speech during one of the inaugural balls in Washington on Friday, January 20.
Hide Caption
22 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady dances with her husband at an inaugural ball on January 20.
Hide Caption
23 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady leaves the President's Room of the Senate after her husband was sworn into office on January 20.
Hide Caption
24 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Melania
Trump, the first lady of the United States, arrives at the Vatican for a
meeting with Pope Francis on Wednesday, May 24. With Vatican protocol in mind, she wore a black veil and long-sleeved black dress draped down to her calf.
Hide Caption
1 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump visits a pediatric hospital in Vatican City on May 24.
Hide Caption
2 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady visits the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on Monday, May 22.
Hide Caption
3 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
A video clip went viral
May 22 after the first lady appeared to swat her husband's hand away
after landing in Israel. It's unclear what caused the swat, if anything.
The Trumps held hands minutes later on the tarmac. They also held hands
multiple times during their tour of the Middle East.
Hide Caption
4 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady high-fives a child during a visit to the American
International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, May 21.
Hide Caption
5 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef during a ceremony in Riyadh on Saturday, May 20. See more photos from the President's first foreign trip
Hide Caption
6 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Melania Trump is joined by her husband as she speaks at a Mother's Day event at the White House on Friday, May 12.
Hide Caption
7 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady takes part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, April 28, at
the Children's National Health System in Washington. She spoke at the
opening of the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden, where patients and families
can spend time outdoors while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Hide Caption
8 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump listens while her husband speaks to the press in the White House Oval Office on Thursday, April 27.
Hide Caption
9 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The first lady hugs a child at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 17. They were making cards for members of the US military.
Hide Caption
10 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
Trump speaks Wednesday, March 29, at the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awards. She called for women's empowerment and celebration of diversity.
Hide Caption
11 of 24
Photos: First lady Melania Trump
The
first lady's Twitter account posted this photo Friday, March 2, of
Trump reading a book to children at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
"Honoring children #worldbookday," the tweet said.
Hide Caption
12 of 24
Kuhn
said he hasn't been involved with the Trump moves, but that he'd
"welcome the opportunity" if asked. The movers go through background
checks, and the trucks are inspected before going onto the grounds, said
Kuhn. But from the driveway into the house, moving is handled by
residence staff.
It's up to the
chief usher, or now the deputy usher, in the absence of a replacement
for Reid, to oversee everyone -- and take care of, well, everything.
"When
I was there, we had 95 full-time staff members to include the ushers'
office, operations staff, who move furniture, rugs, et cetera," said
Rochon. "And then the executive chefs and pastry chefs, housekeepers,
electricians, carpenters, engineers, plumbers, painters, florists and
very importantly, the butlers, whom the first family sees, first and
last, every day."
In sum, it's a
lot. Melania Trump will rely heavily on the head usher, said Rochon,
whose job it is to navigate requests on her behalf.
"The
chief usher is the first lady's primary contact in the executive
residence to get anything done there," he said, adding he suspects at
this point the painters, carpenters and movers have already completed
décor tasks.
How life will change
"It's
the little things you miss," said Michelle Obama to Oprah Winfrey at a
women's summit in Washington last June. She was talking about life
inside the White House, and how just walking out the front door "without
discussing it with anyone" becomes a big deal.
"Sasha opened her window once (in the White House) and there were calls. It never opened again," Obama said.
The same restrictions and rules will be in place once Trump is a full-time resident as well.
"Even
though FLOTUS and Barron are moving to the '18 Acres,' as the White
House and its grounds are nicknamed, over time, all occupants inevitably
feel trapped," said Jonathan Wackrow, a CNN law enforcement analyst and
former Secret Service Agent, who spent time on a first lady detail.
"In
New York City, both of them basically hide in plain sight, blending
into the fabric of the city is an easier task," he said.
Living
at the White House, Trump will become a focal point of the city of
Washington itself, with every move watched by staff, press and the
public.
"Privacy
becomes the most craved desire, but it can be hard to come by," said
Wackrow, adding it falls to Melania Trump, as it did to Michelle Obama,
to help her family adjust.
The
addition of Secret Service, motorcades, sirens and armed guards is a
jolt, said Wackrow, although it is likely helpful that Trump has had a
significant taste of what that's like for the past several months.
"The
DC pressure is a new normal for the family. All of them, the President
included, will need to find a tempo that works for them to create an
environment that is their own," Wachrow said.
For
example, President Barack Obama often said it was helpful that he
"lived above the store" so he could eat dinner with his family, before
working later into the night.
"He and Mrs. Obama would also workout together in the mornings a good deal," Wackrow said.
And
while perhaps a morning bout of couples' exercise won't be on the
Trump's agenda, they will presumably find a way to co-habit inside the
bubble of the Residence.
"They'll do what works for them," said Wackrow.
What's next?
For Melania Trump, now is when the real work could begin.
A
platform of initiatives is still in the works, although the first lady
has publicly stated women and children's issues are of importance.
"It
took Michelle Obama a year to announce 'Let's Move,' so there is time,"
said Kate Andersen Brower, a CNN contributor and author of "First
Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies" and "The
Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House."
"It
was also one of the more stressful parts of those first few months for
Obama, trying to zero in on a campaign that she felt strongly about and
that wouldn't offend (too) many people. I don't know what Melania is
considering but with all the turmoil in her husband's administration
this doesn't seem like a priority," Brower said.
So
far, in Washington, Trump has visited a children's hospital and a
couple of schools. She's hosted one official "ball" (February's
Governors Ball), presided over her first White House Easter Egg Roll and
given a speech on female heroes at the State Department, to name a
handful of her most notable Washington experiences to date.
Last
week, she and the President stepped out on the town for the first time,
well, not counting a few steak dinners at the Trump International
Hotel. The couple attended the Ford's Theatre Gala, Trump dressed in a
Champagne-colored, flowing $2,595 silk frock by designer Monique
Lhuillier. The next night, they hosted a reception at the White House
for Gold Star families.
Melania Trump is also expected to fill out her staffing needs, building teams for communications, platform and events.
The
job of first lady isn't salaried, nor is it outlined with any formal
description, but tradition and history, which Trump appears to relish,
dictate the wife of the President be a present, photographed, quoted and
relevant member of the administration.
It's now up to Trump to establish just what kind of first lady she will be.
"The
first first lady to popularize having a campaign was Lady Bird Johnson
with the highway beautification act," said Brower. "Rosalynn Carter took
on mental health; from then on, having a message has been really an
expected part of the job."
On
Friday, Trump got in on the fundraising part of the gig, putting her
name to a letter asking supporters to sign a birthday card for her
husband, who turns 71 on June 14 -- signing requires a donation to the
Trump Make America Great Again Committee.
"I
need your help to make it a birthday my husband will never forget,"
said the letter. "Our celebrations always include family and close
friends."
This year, that
celebration could likely take place at the White House, with the entire
Trump clan in attendance, herself included.
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