First lady Jill Biden said first lady Melania Trump declined her invitation to tea. New coverage from the Washington Post.
Jill Biden reportedly invited her to have tea at the White House, as is customary for new and outgoing first ladies during presidential transitions.
However, Melania Trump declined, according to the Post. The newspaper published a lengthy profile of the outgoing first lady on Wednesday.
Jill Biden said in an interview on January 5 that she left a note to follow up with Melania Trump and gave it to President-elect Trump when they met at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December. He said he did.
“I congratulated her and offered my support,” Jill Biden said of the note, according to the paper.
Jill Biden didn't hear from the first lady until they exchanged brief words when Melania Trump thanked the first lady at late President Carter's state funeral last week.
Hill has reached out to Trump's transition team for comment.
The White House tea isn't the only tradition the first lady is skipping during this transition period.
Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President Trump's inauguration next week. She also skipped Carter's state funeral, where she was supposed to be seated next to the president-elect, citing “scheduling conflicts.”
At the state funeral, former second lady Karen Pence drew attention as she remained seated as President Trump approached. Her husband, former Vice President Mike Pence, shook hands with the president-elect.
