It’s been five months since Donald Trump’s inauguration. While the US president is never far from the headlines, lots of people have noticed that Melania Trump has been missing from public life.

Most recently, Melania was seen by her husband’s side as he signed a bill into law makes posting so-called ‘revenge porn’ and deepfake explicit content illegal. ‘Anyone who intentionally distributes explicit images without the subject’s consent will face up to three years in prison,’ Trump said. Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, previously said the Melania Trump was ‘instrumental’ in getting the bill through Congress.

Melania described the new law as a ‘national victory that will help parents and families protect children from online exploitation,’ continuing ‘This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American, especially young people, can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused.’

The first lady also made a public appearance at Pope Francis’s funeral on the eve of her 55th birthday in April. However, both of these events mark a rare public sighting for Melania Trump, who notoriously likes to keep a low-profile. According to The New York Times, Melania has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since her husband was inaugurated. So where is she?

A source told People magazine that Melania has stayed at both Mar-a-Lago and the White House, but that she hasn’t spent much meaningful time at the White House. ‘[Donald and Melania] both live at Mar-a-Lago and have quarters in the White House,’ the source told People. ‘But she leads her own life and joins him when appropriate in either place.’ This follows speculation that Melania relies on a close inner circle, many of whom are situated in Palm Beach. A source who is a fixture at Donald Trump’s private club in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, told People that among Melania’s Palm Beach buddies, ‘No one says anything about what she does or says as everyone is aware of how hurt and disappointed she was with Stephanie [Winston Wolkoff] who betrayed her trust.’

Wolkoff is Trump’s former best friend and adviser. However, the pair’s friendship reportedly came to an end after Wolkoff penned the 2020 tell-all book ‘Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady.’

The source continued by telling Page Six that entering a second term, ‘Melania simply hasn’t found a political friend group in DC, so when she goes she’s relatively isolated. She doesn’t trust Washington which is filled with leakers and people whose loyalties change with every poll and election.’ They added that while ‘in NYC she has her son [Barron], and some friends she trusts. She thinks of Palm Beach as home.’

Some key figures reported to be in Melania’s inner circle include the fashion designer Hervé Pierre, Brett Ratner, who is directing Melania Trump’s documentary, and John Rogers, her adviser for staff recruitment. Melania is also close to her family, her mother and father, Amlja and Viktor.

Melania is also thought to spend time in Manhattan, New York, where 19-year-old Baron is in his first year at Columbia University. In a rare past interview ahead of Trump’s inauguration with Fox News, Melania gave a small insight into how she planned on balancing motherhood with First Lady duties.

‘I will be in the White House,’ she told the outlet. ‘And, you know, 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. But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife. And once we are in on Jan. 20, you serve the country.’

She has previously been described as ‘very protective’ over Barron, something she reiterated in the interview with Fox. ‘You know, I feel that as children, we have them until they are like 18, 19 years old,’ she said. ‘We teach them. We guide them. And then we give them the wings to fly.’

 Of course, it’s been a challenging year for the Trump family. Donald survived an assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally back in July last year. ‘When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life were on the brink of devastating change,’ she said in a statement at the time. ‘I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.’

Another reason for Melania’s absence from public life could be down to focusing on her own projects. One of these is the Amazon Prime documentary, which promises to provide a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at her life. A source told People ‘Melania has been busy shooting her documentary and that has taken place in several locations, including the White House.’ An official release date for the documentary hasn’t been announced. However, Variety reported that it is set to be released in the second half of 2025.

We started the production in November, and we are shooting right now,’ Melania told Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt. ‘So it’s a day-to-day life, what I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have. People, they don’t really know and they will see it. It’s day to day, from transition team to moving to the White House, packing, establishing my team, the First Lady office, moving into the White House, what it takes to make the residence your home, to hire the people that you need.’

Melania was then asked about how the documentary came about. She responded by referencing the success of her 2024 memoir, Melania. ‘The book was such a success, and I’m very proud, and I get so many messages and letters [from readers] how they enjoy the book, and they would love, my fans and people, would love to hear more from me,’ she said. ‘So I had an idea to make a movie, to make a film about my life. My life is incredible. It’s incredibly busy. And I told my agent, you know, I have this idea. So please, you know, go out and make a deal for me.’

So, while Melania has reportedly been absent from the White House, it certainly seems she hasn’t been short of projects and busy family life. Watch this space to see what she does next.