Melania Trump hires staff to continue 'Be Best' initiative, looking for office space in Palm Beach
After Donald Trump started the 'Office of the Former President', it looks like Melania Trump won't be shying away from public life either. She has reportedly now hired at least three staff members so that she can continue her 'Be Best' initiative, which she regarded as her signature initiative during her time as First Lady.
As the legacy of #BeBest comes to a close at the @WhiteHouse, we must continue to give a voice to our Nation's children & the issues that impact their lives. It's the values & spirit of the American people that inspired Be Best & it's those values that will carry on its mission. pic.twitter.com/fRBTWphmlj
— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) January 15, 2021
One source, who was familiar with her plans, said she wanted to "maintain 'Be Best'", according to a CNN report. 'Be Best' was mainly restricted to awareness activities around "three pillars" targeted at the youth -- one, overall well-being, including social and emotional health of children; two, social media, with a focus on combating cyberbullying; and opioid abuse.
During her time at the White House, the East Wing policy office did not have any dedicated staff besides one full-time East Wing employee, and it mostly was unoccupied. However, after exiting as the first lady, Melania Trump has already zeroed in on three staff members for her post-White House office. The most senior is Hayley D'Antuono, who served for four years as the former first lady's director of operations and trip supervisor and is now her chief of staff.
The second staffer is Mary "Casey" Finzer who was a low-level staff assistant in the East Wing office. Her main task in the White House was reportedly keeping stock of Trump's "gift closet", where gifted items were kept and wrapped to be distributed at school or hospital events and for trips. Finzer is now a part of the operational and administrative side of Melania's team.
The third recruit is Marcia Kelly, who had served as an unpaid senior adviser to Melania when she was in the White House. It is unclear if she will now receive a salary. The staff members are at times working remotely, but the former first lady is reportedly looking for separate office space in the Palm Beach area. For now, she is operating out of former President Donald Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago, which also is where she is living.
Melania Trump made waves on social media when she refused to stop and pose for waiting photographers upon her arrival in Florida. She also refused to invite the current first lady Jill Biden for tea and a tour of the White House family quarters, the first break in the 100-year-old first ladies' transfer-of-power tradition in decades. However, she did post a farewell address online two days before she left the White House, where she had called on Americans to 'be best'.
A Farewell Message from First Lady Melania Trump pic.twitter.com/WfG1zg2mt4
— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) January 18, 2021
She left the White House with a 47 percent approval rating. She was 12 points behind Michelle Obama with a 69 percent approval rating, according to a CNN/ORC poll. Former FLOTUS Laura Bush had a 67 percent approval rating and even Hillary Clinton had 56 percent when she left the White House as the first lady.