President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that his wife Melania will be “active” in his upcoming administration, though questions remain about whether she will reside full-time at the White House during his second term.

In a wide-ranging interview with Time magazine published Thursday, December 12, Trump praised his wife’s campaign involvement despite her limited public appearances, saying “She was very active towards the end, as you saw with interviews. And she does them well. People really watch.”

However, multiple sources indicate the incoming First Lady is unlikely to make Washington, D.C. her primary residence. Instead, she plans to divide her time between Palm Beach, Florida, where the Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located, and New York City, where their 18-year-old son Barron is a freshman at New York University.

This arrangement would mark an unprecedented departure from traditional First Lady roles, as no previous presidential spouse has opted to live separately from the White House. Despite this unconventional approach, Mrs. Trump is expected to maintain an active presence during major White House events and official duties.

During Trump’s first term, Melania demonstrated a preference for a more private role. She focused her attention on children’s welfare and the opioid crisis, while often avoiding the spotlight. This pattern continued through most of the 2024 campaign season, though she did make several notable appearances.

The former First Lady accompanied her husband at key campaign events, including the Republican National Convention, his Madison Square Garden rally, and his election night victory speech. Most recently, she stood beside him at the New York Stock Exchange for the opening bell ceremony.

Sources familiar with Mrs. Trump’s plans suggest she has gained valuable experience from her previous tenure as First Lady and intends to shape her role differently this time. She has already shown signs of some independence on policy matters, notably diverging from her husband’s stance on abortion rights, in her new memoir.

The former First Lady recently completed a book tour promoting the memoir, titled “Melania,” which was published in October. Her absence from certain campaign events was attributed to this commitment, including declining a traditional tea and tour invitation from current First Lady Jill Biden.

According to Melania, their son Barron has played an instrumental role in the 2024 campaign, providing valuable insights about connecting with young voters. This family dynamic appears to be influencing her decision to maintain proximity to New York City during the upcoming presidential term.