Melania Trump has accused the Obamas of attempting to undermine her husband, Donald Trump, during his first term in office.
In a pointed remark, the incoming first lady expressed greater confidence in her husband’s upcoming second term, now that former President Barack Obama will not be present to complicate matters.
Reflecting on her husband’s initial swearing-in in 2017, she told “Fox & Friends,” “The first time was challenging, we didn’t have much of the information.”
She added, “The information was withheld from us by the previous administration,” referring to Obama. This comment came as his wife, Michelle Obama, made headlines by announcing she would not attend Trump’s second inauguration on Monday.
“This time, I have everything… it’s a very different transition this time, second time around,” she explained.
“This time, I have everything,” she reiterated, emphasizing the change in the dynamic now that President Biden, who had been Obama’s vice president, would be replaced by her husband.
Despite the early struggles between the administrations, the 54-year-old stated she now has a clear understanding of the “rules” and “process” that come with living in the White House.
“I have the plans, I already packed, I have selected the furniture. So it’s a very different transition this time, the second time around,” she said.
“I think it will be an exciting four years. We have a lot to do to put the country back in shape,” she concluded.
Melania also addressed the underestimation of her role, something she felt was prevalent during her husband’s first term.
“I just feel that people didn’t accept me. Maybe they didn’t understand me the way maybe they do now. And I didn’t have much support,” she said.
“Maybe some people see me as just a wife of the president, but I’m standing on my own two feet, independent. I have my own thoughts, I have my own, ‘yes’ and ‘no,’” she added.
Her comments came as it was revealed that Michelle Obama would not attend Trump’s second inauguration, after also skipping former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
Michelle Obama’s team did not offer a reason for her absence, but she has been an outspoken critic of Trump over the past several years.
Despite promoting the mantra “When they go low, we go high,” Michelle Obama has frequently criticized Trump’s wealth, his treatment of women, and his views on minorities. She also encouraged men to support Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I am asking y’all, from the core of my being, to take our lives seriously,” she said during a rally for Harris last fall.
Interestingly, her husband, Barack Obama, was seen sitting next to Trump at Carter’s well-publicized funeral, laughing and joking with his successor, which captured significant media attention.
All other former presidents and their spouses are expected to attend the inauguration on January 20, including George W. and Laura Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Joe and Jill Biden.
{Matzav.com}