Melania Trump breaks the tradition: she does not write thanks to the staff, she only signs them
The first lady preferred to entrust the task to a member of her staff
First lady Melania Trump did not personally write thank-you notes to White House staff who have cared for her and her family for four years, according to two sources familiar with the facts cited by CNN. The thanks would have been written by an East Wing staff member hired by Trump to perform the task on behalf of the first lady.
It is traditional for First Ladies - and sometimes presidents too - to write cards or short letters of thanks to domestic staff, perhaps recalling personal anecdotes which then become precious memories for those who receive them. This time, according to CNN sources, Melania limited herself to affixing her signature to the tickets that had been written by someone from her staff.
Trump's wife also broke another tradition, that which obliges the outgoing First Lady to let the incoming one visit the second and third floors of the White House. Michelle Obama gave Melania the tour, Laura Bush Michelle, and it's a tradition that goes back to Bess Truman with Mamie Eisenhower. But the Trumps didn't want to meet the Bidens in person.
