After Donald Trump’s election victory, Jill Biden invited Melania Trump for the traditional tea meeting between incoming and outgoing First Ladies, but Melania declined. Jill later sent her a note through President Biden during a December event at the Notre Dame reopening. The two eventually exchanged pleasantries at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in January.

In December 2024, Melania stated on Fox & Friends that this White House transition would be smoother than the first, citing better preparation. When asked about posing for magazine covers as First Lady, Melania dismissed the idea, saying, “We have so many other important things to do than to be on the cover of any magazine.