BEIJING — Melania Trump stayed back at the White House and didn’t join her husband for the whirlwind Beijing summit — which was documented by her director.
Melania Trump is in DC and marking the 180-day milestone since the president signed the Fostering the Future Executive Order, honoring one of her signature initiatives to help foster children.
Instead, director Brett Ratner is in China with President Trump.
Ratner, who directed “MELANIA,” the first lady’s self-titled documentary, traveled on Air Force One with the president to Beijing, leading the internet to wonder why such a high-profile trip had no leading lady.
“The first lady did not have prior knowledge that Mr. Ratner would be in China,” a person familiar with the trip told The Post. “The first lady only works with Mr. Ratner on her film.
The first lady was never scheduled to go on the trip, even before its original date was pushed back by a month because of the Iran war.
“The first lady has prioritized America’s families and children in her initiatives here at home and is focused on these responsibilities at the present time,” the source said.
Here’s the latest on President Trump’s historic visit to China:
- Taiwan becomes flashpoint of summit as Rubio warns of ‘repercussions’ for invasion
- Trump sets date for Xi Jinping White House visit, touts ‘special relationship’ with China
- ‘Lion’-like Trump deploys ‘power move’ as he, Xi show ‘genuine affection’
- Striking difference between Trump-Xi summit in 2026 and 2017: expert
- Trump greets Xi in Beijing to kick off historic China summit with grand welcome ceremony
Melania Trump will be on hand in September to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the White House when they make a reciprocal visit, replicating her successful hosting of the British royals last month.
Trump had some family with him in China, with son Eric Trump and daughter-in-law Lara Trump joining the US delegation.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk brought his young son, nicknamed X, on the trip, noting his 6-year-old is learning Mandarin.
