First Lady Jill Biden said that incoming First Lady Melania Trump declined her invitation for tea, according to a report in The Washington Post. Biden reportedly extended the invitation for tea at the White House, a customary gesture between incoming and outgoing first ladies during the presidential transition. But Trump declined, according to the Post, which published a lengthy profile of the outgoing first lady Wednesday.
Biden mentioned in an interview conducted on January 5 that she followed up with Melania Trump by sending a note, which she gave to President-elect Trump when they met at the reopening of Notre Dame in December. “I congratulated her and I offered help,” Biden said of the note, according to the Post. Biden did not hear back from Melania Trump until they had a brief conversation at former President Carter’s state funeral last week, where Melania Trump thanked the first lady.
The tradition of holding a tea between the incoming and outgoing first ladies is a relatively modern custom that underscores the peaceful transfer of power and the continuity of the American presidency. While the spotlight of any transition period often shines on the presidents themselves, the meeting of their spouses symbolizes a softer, more personal side of politics that the public rarely sees. Typically, this cordial gathering takes place at the White House, with the hostess—who is preparing to leave her role—inviting her successor for a private conversation.
The roots of this tradition can be traced back to several past administrations, though it did not become a well-publicized fixture of presidential transitions until the latter half of the twentieth century. The tea invitation provides an opportunity for the incoming first lady to familiarize herself with the workings of the Executive Residence: the protocols followed by the White House staff, the extensive calendar of events she will oversee, and the myriad of public engagements she will soon manage. The outgoing first lady, having lived those experiences, can offer unique insights and advice that a formal briefing might not convey, though this will be Melania’s second stint as first lady.
In many instances, the media has seized upon these teas as symbolic vignettes, capturing photos of the two women sharing smiles, sometimes exchanging gifts, or chatting about upcoming responsibilities. These images can resonate powerfully with the public, showing bipartisan camaraderie at a time when emotions can be high.
