Rogers’ book, released on Tuesday, casts a spotlight on modern first ladies, particularly Jill Biden and Melania Trump, as they await the outcome of their husbands’ quests for a second term in the White House. The book delves into the evolution of the unpaid role, from Hillary Clinton’s tenure to the current East Wing led by Jill Biden, exploring how each woman has shaped the position in connection to her husband.
Melania Trump initially garnered attention by choosing to stay in New York at the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency, allowing their son Barron to finish the school year. This decision, while unprecedented, aligned with Melania’s top priority of shielding her son from the public scrutiny that comes with the first family’s lifestyle.
However, Melania’s absence in the White House left a vacancy in the role of the first lady, a void that Ivanka Trump sought to fill. The first daughter expressed interest in redesigning the East Wing to cater to the entire First Family rather than just the First Lady, but Melania intervened, putting an end to Ivanka’s plans. Subsequently, Ivanka took on the role of an unpaid adviser in her father’s West Wing.
This marked the beginning of a four-year “internal power struggle” between Melania Trump and her stepdaughter, whom she referred to as “The Princess.” The two women had limited interaction within the White House complex, rarely being seen or photographed together. They did not collaborate on joint initiatives or events. Tensions escalated in 2018 during separate trips to Africa, leading then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to mediate between the two women and their offices.
Despite their differences, both Melania and Ivanka eventually undertook individual trips – Melania in October 2018 to focus on children’s issues as part of her Be Best campaign, and Ivanka in April 2019 to highlight economic development, particularly among women. The book, titled “American Woman,” sheds light on the dynamics and conflicts within the Trump administration involving the first ladies.
