Real reason why Melania Trump is spending more time with husband Donald despite absence from White House

WASHINGTON, DC: She’s back in the White House—but if you’re wondering why you haven’t seen much of Melania Trump since Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration, you’re not alone.

The famously private first lady has reportedly spent less than 14 days at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since her husband returned to office. 

Melania continues to be one of the most elusive first ladies in US history, rarely appearing in public and even more rarely alongside her husband. Her second term as FLOTUS comes after what insiders describe as a “very low period” in her marriage, but she’s been popping up around Trump more often of late—and apparently for a very personal reason, the Irish Star reported.

Trump and Melania’s marriage is said to have taken a sharp hit last year when the former was convicted of fraud over alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Trump vehemently denies Daniels’ claims, but the alleged encounter happened in 2006, just one year after he and Melania tied the knot.

Melania didn’t attend a single day of court during the case. According to those close to her, she was not happy.

TStormy Daniels saga and how the Trumps overcame it

“When she found out years ago about Stormy Daniels, she was the most upset she’s been,” said Washington Post journalist Mary Jordan, author of 'The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump', in an interview with The Times. “She was furious and it was a very low period.”

The case notably cast an unflattering spotlight on the couple’s history. But in a welcome twist, Jordan says the scandal may have pulled them closer together.

“The trials and the cases in court have infuriated her and drawn her closer to Trump. She believes that he has been persecuted,” Jordan explained.

So while she’s still not showing up at every campaign rally or White House function, Melania has quietly been standing by her man, just on her terms.

Though she’s been keeping a low profile, Melania did step out with Trump last month for a rare joint appearance at the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. They even held hands while walking through the Vatican.

Their trip happened to fall on Melania’s 55th birthday. After landing back in the States, Trump gave her a quick kiss goodbye before they once again went their separate ways.

However, insiders say the couple has been spending more time together than usual lately, and there’s one major reason why.

It’s mostly about Barron Trump

At the heart of it all is Barron Trump. Melania and Donald Trump’s 19-year-old son has always been her top priority. According to Mary Jordan, he’s playing a crucial role in bringing his parents back together.

“Barron is critical here too,” Jordan shared. “Melania is enormously close to Barron and he is really into the fact that his father is president. Melania and Donald are now spending more time together and appearing as more of a couple than they have in the past. They’ve been in a bunker together and they’ve come out of it closer.”

Melania’s tight bond with her only child may also explain why she’s still not permanently camped out at the White House. Before the inauguration, she had already made it clear that she’d be splitting her time between Washington, Palm Beach, and New York. That’s where Barron is currently attending college—and also where Melania is often spotted these days.

Sources say Melania was deeply shaken by the attempted assassination of her husband last July, and even more so by an incident days later involving a gunman who got alarmingly close to Trump on one of his golf courses.

For someone who already had a strong instinct to protect her son, these close calls only amplified her fears. That’s reportedly also a big part of why she’s been sticking close to their New York apartment—to make sure Barron is safe.

But this isn’t new for Melania. During Trump’s first term, she famously delayed her move to DC so Barron could finish his school year in New York. For her, it’s always been Barron first—and that hasn’t changed.