The approximately 80 staff members who received the written notes were under the assumption that the first lady wrote them herself. Instead, Trump instructed a lower-level East Wing staff member to write them “in her voice,” and she signed her name.
Several sources familiar with Trump’s activities, or the lack thereof in recent weeks, described the first lady as’ checked out ‘, that she’ just wants to go home ‘, and’ is not sad about Washington and the White House leaves’.
One of the sources who discussed the “thank you” notes with CNN said that it is customary for first ladies – and sometimes also presidents – to write cards or short thank-you notes to members of the household, especially those they come to. know very well. Many of the correspondence contains personal anecdotes and the letters become ‘cherished memories’ for the residence staff, the source said.
The butchers, cooks, housekeepers, wardens and maintenance workers usually do not turn up at every administration and many have been working in the White House for a decade or more.
With 47%, more people have an unfavorable view of the first lady than at any point since CNN first asked about her view in February 2016. The poll, which SSRS conducted for CNN, puts Trump’s favorable rating at 42 %, with 12% of people asked to answer, are unsure about their feelings about the first lady.
Trump’s highest favorable rating was at 57% in May 2018, according to a then-CNN poll that came on the heels of the first state dinner and Trump’s attendance at the funeral of late First Lady Barbara Bush. The first lady went to the funeral without President Donald Trump.
The first lady has spent the weeks since the presidential election in relative silence and since November 3 has attended only five public events, including the turkey apology, the arrival of the White House Christmas tree, a political rally in Georgia, the annual gift for Toys for Tots. opportunity and the story-reading at Children’s Hospital.
Events with her regarding the White House Christmas decorations were not open to the press. CNN also reports that Melania Trump is overseeing the packaging and shipping of her belongings before the family leaves the White House for the two months.