Melania Trump Says Family Time is 'Suffering' Amid Busy Schedule

First Lady Melania Trump has admitted that her family time with President Donald Trump and their son Barron is 'suffering' due to their demanding schedules. In a recent interview on FOX Business, she stated that the couple often finds it difficult to have regular family dinners because of their respective work commitments.

'You know my husband is working. Sometimes he's in the Oval Office till 9:30 at night, right? So do you wait that you will have dinner? You don't, because he's busy. I'm busy too,' Trump said, adding, 'But we try to find time. It’s less and less the family time, it's suffering because of it.' She emphasized that their primary focus is on their work and 'to do a good job.'

Trump also noted that their son, Barron, is now 20 years old and has his own adult schedule and interests.

Melania Trump's recent public appearances have been infrequent, with July being particularly quiet, marked by only two public events: the July 4th celebrations and the FIFA World Cup final on July 19. She previously took a 32-day hiatus from public view before reappearing at the White House Rose Garden in August, remarking, 'I heard you missed me?' This quip did little to quell ongoing speculation about her time spent in Washington.

Despite her lower public profile, Trump insisted in the interview that she has been actively working behind the scenes on several causes. These include initiatives focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in children's education, foster youth, and international diplomacy. She recently launched Imperia, an initiative for women in business, and took part in events during the UN General Assembly related to her Fostering the Future initiative, which addresses children, education, and technology.

Her public engagements have also included hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a state dinner. She assisted with the dinner preparations and joined President Trump in greeting the Chinese delegation. This period of increased visibility followed a stretch of minimal public appearances, a pattern that has led to questions about her presence in Washington. Journalist Michael Wolff has alleged she largely remains based in New York and questioned her overnight stays at the White House. The White House has disputed these claims, with former communications director Anthony Scaramucci suggesting her life is divided between New York, Washington, and Florida.

During President Trump's first term, Melania Trump remained in New York for several months with Barron while he finished the school year, also sparking discussions about her living arrangements. The Trumps officially changed their residence from Manhattan to Palm Beach, Florida, in 2019, designating Mar-a-Lago as their permanent home. A court filing in 2025 also listed Mar-a-Lago as Melania's permanent address.

Despite questions about her schedule and location, Melania Trump has maintained her own priorities and projects, indicating she does not necessarily feel compelled to attend every event with her husband. Her work on promoting AI education in schools, encouraging students to engage with technology like building robots, reflects her commitment to specific causes independent of her public role.