Audio By Carbonatix
First lady Melania Trump did not write her own "thank you" notes to the White House residence staff who have cared for her and her family for the last years, according to two sources with knowledge of the notes and Trump's handling of them.
The 80 or so staff who received the type written notes were under the assumption the first lady had written them herself. Instead, Trump tasked a lower-level East Wing staffer with writing them "in her voice," and she signed her name.
Several sources familiar with Trump's activities, or lack thereof in recent weeks, have described the first lady as being "checked out," that she "just wants to go home," and is "not sad to be leaving" Washington and the White House.
One of the sources discussing the "thank you" notes with CNN said it is customary for first ladies – and occasionally presidents as well – to write cards or short letters of gratitude to members of household staff, especially the ones whom they get to know extremely well. Much of the correspondence includes personal anecdotes and the letters become "cherished keepsakes" for the residence staff, says the source.
The butlers, cooks, housekeepers, ushers and maintenance workers do not typically turn over with each administration and many have been working at the White House for a decade or more
Melania Trump will be exiting the White House with the lowest favorability rating of her tenure as first lady, according to a new CNN poll.
At 47%, more people have an unfavorable view of the first lady now than at any point since CNN first asked about her views of her in February 2016. The poll, conducted by SSRS for CNN, puts Trump's favorable rating at 42%, with 12% of those asked answering they are unsure of their feelings about the first lady.
Latest Stories
-
Pavillon Afronova amplifies African voices at Cannes Film Festival
16 minutes -
Ghana Global Champions Initiative 2026 launched as new framework for economic reform and growth
19 minutes -
Africa must build its own global business champions – Alex Dadey
24 minutes -
GFA petitioned to review CAF President over South Africa xenophobia
26 minutes -
‘Look at me nicely’ – Carlos Queiroz dismisses suggestion of external influence in Black Stars call-ups
27 minutes -
Queiroz admits feeling pressure ahead of World Cup
34 minutes -
ECG announces power outages across four regions on June 2
39 minutes -
Ghanaian activists petition AU to remove AfCFTA Secretary-General over SA xenophobia record
39 minutes -
‘I was surprised to hear that the anti-LGBTQ+ bill has been passed’ – Speaker Bagbin
41 minutes -
Democracy remains Ghana’s strategic asset – Mahama
49 minutes -
Djiku ruled out of World Cup as Luckassen earns Ghana call-up
54 minutes -
Anti-LGBTQ law still faces scrutiny before assent – Mahama
1 hour -
Anti-gay bill still far from becoming law – Mahama flags quorum and procedural concerns
1 hour -
Wontumi Trial: Former Western Regional Minister admits he did not witness key Samreboi deal
1 hour -
No African country can navigate today’s global challenges in isolation – Mahama
1 hour