As Donald and Melania Trump prepare to return to the White House following his re-election, renewed attention has been drawn to their unconventional living arrangements. The couple, who have been married for nearly 20 years, reportedly plan to continue sleeping in separate rooms, a practice they maintained throughout Donald’s first term.
Separate Spaces in the White House
Journalist Michael Wolff, author of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, revealed that the Trumps were the first presidential couple since the Kennedys in the 1960s to occupy separate bedrooms in the White House. Wolff described them as independent individuals. “She is a loner. He is a loner. They are perfectly happy to be separated,” he wrote.
According to Wolff, Donald Trump would often retire early to his personal quarters around 6:30 p.m., where he preferred eating fast food and watching television alone. “Trump, in fact, found the White House to be vexing and even a little scary,” Wolff noted.
A Longstanding Arrangement
Reports suggest this living arrangement dates back to at least 2006. At that time, following allegations of an affair between Trump and a Playboy Bunny, Melania began using her own bedroom in their Trump Tower residence. Donald reportedly explained that she “liked her space to read or be alone.”
This arrangement continued in the White House. CNN correspondent Kate Bennett, author of Free, Melania, shared that Melania resided in a private suite on the third floor, which included a bedroom, glam room, and gym, while Donald occupied the master bedroom on the second floor, as reported by Nicki Swift.
Claims of Distance
The couple’s reportedly distant relationship has fueled speculation for years. An anonymous source told Us Weekly in 2017, “They never spend the night together—ever,” and claimed, “Melania wants as little to do with Donald as possible.”
Other reports suggest that Melania’s focus remains on their son, Barron Trump. Stylist Phillip Bloch told The Independent that “this life wasn’t her dream. It was Donald’s.” Melania famously stayed in New York during the early months of Trump’s first term to ensure Barron’s schooling was uninterrupted.
Trump Administration’s Response
The Trump team has consistently dismissed these accounts as fictional. However, one source suggested a more nuanced explanation, stating the couple may share a bedroom but prefer separate beds, likening it to “a very royal” arrangement.
As the Trumps prepare for their second term, their unique living arrangement continues to draw curiosity and speculation.