Melania Trump Shares Where She and Barron Will Live During Donald’s Second Term in White House

Melania Trump directly commented for the first time about whether she will be joining President-elect Donald Trump in the White House full-time during his second term.

In an interview with Fox News that aired on Fox & Friends on Jan. 13, the incoming first lady, 54, said she will be splitting her time between Washington D.C., New York City, and Palm Beach, Fla., over the next four years due to her various responsibilities — though she plans to make one of the homes her main residence.

When asked where she will spend the most time in her new title, Melania told Fox, “I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife.”

Former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump look on as Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Americans cast their ballots today in the presidential race between Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress.
Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Melania also commented on whether her son, Barron Trump, will be joining them at the White House. Barron, 18, recently moved from the family’s Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach up to New York City, where he is attending New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Melania told Fox in September that Barron opted to live at Trump Tower, his family’s Midtown Manhattan residence, as he started his first year of college.

Wife Melania Trumo and son Barron Trump listen as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump walks out on stage with his wife Melania after being declared the winner during an election night watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 06, 2024.
Melania Trump and son Barron Trump during an election night watch party in West Palm Beach, Fla.Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty

Despite Barron’s residency in Manhattan, he will have a room at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue so he can “come and visit” as he pleases, the former first lady told Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt.

“Whatever he would like to do,” Melania said. “I feel as children, we have them till they are 18, 19 years old. We teach them, we guide them, and then we give them the wings to fly.”

“I always respect Barron’s yes and no, and what he likes to do, where he would like to be,” she added.

Barron Trump, son of former US President Donald Trump, during a campaign event at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida, US, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Barron Trump attends a July 9 campaign rally for his father in Miami, Fla.Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty

A source exclusively told PEOPLE in December that Barron, with his mother’s support, won’t be living among his peers any time in the near future.

“She will do everything she can to make sure Barron does well in school and is socially and mentally adjusted to his life as a college student,” a political source said of Melania’s relationship with her son. “Living in a dorm in a college town isn’t in the stars for him at this point.”

The source added, “Barron already has his own political ideas. It all needs to be monitored in light of the situation.”

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak with former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Barron Trump accompanies his parents at an election night event in West Palm Beach, Fla.Joe Raedle/Getty

In November, an insider told PEOPLE that they doubt Melania wants to live in the White House full-time when Donald assumes the presidency.

“If Melania becomes first lady again, of course people expect her to move into the White House and perform appropriate duties,” a social source close to the Trumps said, adding that she is not so keen on relocating to the official residence.

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“She will have her private living apartment there, and she has her home in New York, and her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach,” the source said. “She will spend time in all of these places.”

The insider added that she is “not likely” to make the White House her permanent residence.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive on New Year's Eve at his Mar-A-Lago Club on December 31, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump continues to fill posts in his upcoming administration ahead of his January 20 inauguration.
Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago for their New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, 2024. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty

As for the process of moving her things into the White House, Melania shared on Fox that it will be easier the second time around.

“The difference is I know where I will be going,” the former model said. “I know the rooms where we will be living, I know the process.”

“The first time was challenging. We didn’t have much of the information,” she continued. “But this time I have everything. I have the plans, I could move in, I already packed, I already selected the furniture that needs to go in, so it’s a very different transition this time, second time around.”

Melania noted that “the transition team” only has five hours to move President Joe Biden and his family out — and move the Trump family in — on Jan. 20, which is Inauguration Day.

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