New Poll Highlights Public Opinion on Melania Trump’s Role as First Lady During Second White House Term
A Reserved Public Presence in a Second Stint as First Lady
Melania Trump’s tenure as First Lady during her husband Donald Trump’s return to the White House has drawn renewed public attention, particularly as her approach to the role has remained notably private. While she has made select public appearances, her overall visibility has been more limited compared to many previous first ladies.
Her time in the position has been described as unconventional, reflecting both her personal preferences and the unique circumstances of her husband’s presidency. Rather than maintaining a constant presence in Washington, she has adopted a more flexible lifestyle during her second term.
Before returning to the White House in January of last year, Melania indicated that her second period as First Lady would differ from her first. The former model from Slovenia stated that she planned to divide her time between Washington, Palm Beach, and New York City while continuing to fulfill her official responsibilities.
Balancing Responsibilities and Personal Projects
Throughout her second term, Melania has continued to support her Be Best initiative, which remains a central element of her public work. The initiative, originally launched during her first tenure, focuses on issues affecting children and online well-being.
However, much of her recent attention has centered on a documentary project that she announced shortly before her husband’s second presidential inauguration. The film became a defining aspect of her public agenda during this period.
Reports indicate that Amazon secured the rights to the documentary for $40 million, and the film was ultimately released in January. The project attracted widespread attention due to both its subject matter and the scale of the production agreement.
Reception to the documentary has been mixed, reflecting varied public reactions to her portrayal and the themes presented. Despite the divided response, Melania expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the film.
Melania’s Reaction to the Documentary’s Reception
In remarks shared just before the documentary’s release, she addressed the range of responses the film might receive. “I take great pride in the film, and while some may enjoy it and others may not, that’s entirely up to them,” she said.
She further emphasized her personal sense of accomplishment regarding the project. “We accomplished our goals. Personally, I consider it a success. I’m really proud of what we achieved.”
Her comments underscored a focus on creative fulfillment rather than unanimous public approval, reflecting a measured approach to public criticism.
Public Engagement Through Policy Discussions
Although her public appearances have been limited, Melania has participated in selected policy-related events during her second term. One such appearance took place on March 03, 2025, during a roundtable discussion on the “Take It Down Act” held in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
The legislation expands protections for victims of non-consensual sharing of sexual images, including AI-generated content such as deepfake pornography. Her involvement in the discussion highlighted continued engagement with issues aligned with her advocacy efforts.
These appearances, while infrequent, have reinforced her continued presence in official capacities despite her generally low-profile public schedule.
New Survey Examines Public Perception of Melania Trump
As political attention intensifies ahead of the midterm elections, public curiosity about Melania Trump’s standing among Americans has increased. A recent YouGov poll offers insight into how the public currently views her performance and role as First Lady.
The poll “was conducted online with 2,255 adult participants across two separate surveys from February 2 – 5 and February 3-5.”
YouGov explained that the sampling process followed a structured methodology. “A random sample (stratified by gender, age, race, education, geographic region, and voter registration) was drawn from the 2019 American Community Survey.”
The organization further clarified that adjustments were made based on several demographic and political factors. The sample was adjusted based on gender, age, race, education, 2024 presidential vote, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification, and current voter registration status.
Approval Ratings Compared to Other First Ladies
The survey results indicate that Melania Trump currently holds a -16 approval rating. This places her below former First Lady Jill Biden, who recorded a -9 rating in the same comparative context.
Despite the negative rating, her approval score remains slightly higher than that of Hilary Clinton, who registered at -17. The data suggests that while public sentiment toward Melania is mixed, it is not the lowest among modern political figures associated with the White House.
The findings also reveal a broader contrast when compared to several historically well-regarded first ladies whose approval ratings remain significantly higher.
Historical Figures with Higher Public Favorability
Among past first ladies, Nancy Reagan holds a +25 approval rating, while Lady Bird Johnson stands at +23. Rosalynn Carter received +32, and Barbara Bush holds a +21 rating.
Michelle Obama’s approval rating is listed at +21, with Laura Bush close behind at +19. These figures reflect enduring public appreciation for several former first ladies whose tenures continue to shape historical comparisons.
The data underscores the varying expectations placed on individuals in the role and how public perception evolves over time.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as the Most Popular First Lady
According to the survey results, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis remains the most popular First Lady in the dataset. She served as First Lady from 1961 to 1963 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy.
Her approval rating reached an impressive +56 in the YouGov survey, placing her well above all other figures included in the comparison.
This enduring popularity highlights the lasting historical impact of her tenure and the cultural legacy associated with her time in the White House.
Partisan Differences in Approval Ratings
The poll also indicates that Melania Trump’s approval rating is more favorable among Republican voters than among Democrats. This pattern reflects broader political polarization that often influences perceptions of presidential figures and their spouses.
Partisan alignment has increasingly played a role in shaping how public figures connected to political leadership are evaluated. As a result, approval ratings frequently vary depending on political affiliation.
Such differences illustrate how the role of First Lady, though traditionally non-political in nature, can still be interpreted through a political lens.
A Distinctive Approach to the Role of First Lady
Melania Trump’s second tenure continues to stand out for its balance between selective public engagement and personal independence. Her decision to split time between multiple residences reflects a departure from more traditional expectations associated with the role.
At the same time, her continued involvement in initiatives such as Be Best and policy discussions demonstrates an ongoing commitment to public responsibilities.
The documentary project and its high-profile release further contributed to defining her public image during this period.
Public Opinion in a Changing Political Climate
As Donald Trump faces shifting polling dynamics ahead of the midterms, interest in the public perception of the First Lady has naturally increased. Surveys such as the recent YouGov poll provide a snapshot of how Americans currently view her presence and performance.
The mixed approval ratings suggest a divided public response shaped by personal style, public visibility, and broader political context.
While some first ladies are remembered for constant public engagement, others are defined by more reserved approaches, and Melania Trump’s tenure appears to align more closely with the latter model.
Ongoing Attention to Her Role in the White House
Melania Trump’s time as First Lady during her husband’s second term continues to generate discussion across political and public spheres. Her selective appearances, focus on personal projects, and continued advocacy efforts have all contributed to shaping her public image.
The recent poll results add another dimension to the ongoing evaluation of her role, particularly as comparisons with previous first ladies remain a consistent point of reference.
As the political landscape evolves and public opinion continues to shift, perceptions of the First Lady’s influence and legacy are likely to remain a topic of sustained interest.