There always seems to be controversy surrounding Donald Trump. While scrutiny comes with being President of the United States, Trump’s ability to dominate headlines remains unmatched. Recently, attention has focused on his renewed push for the U.S. to gain control of Greenland. Trump and members of his administration have argued that acquiring the territory is vital for American security, despite strong opposition from Denmark, Greenland’s residents, and several European nations. The proposal has sparked widespread backlash both domestically and abroad.

Amid the uproar, another topic has emerged: Melania Trump’s noticeable absence. Reports claim the former First Lady has not been seen publicly alongside her husband for over 20 days. The last time they were reportedly photographed together was during New Year’s celebrations at Mar-a-Lago. Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet first highlighted her absence, noting that aside from a January 20 post on X expressing gratitude for her first year as First Lady, Melania has remained out of public view. Commentators suggest this may not be surprising.

Sigrid Rege Gårdsvoll, a political commentator, described Melania as “conspicuous by her absence,” adding that it is difficult to assess her role as First Lady because she is rarely visible. Meanwhile, U.S. expert Eirik Løkke told Dagbladet that her low profile appears to be a conscious decision.

“She does not want to take on a public role, but prefers to stay in the background,” he explained, noting that this approach was evident throughout the 2024 campaign. Whether strategic or personal, Melania’s continued absence has certainly sparked conversation.