Melania Trump ‘Largely Out Of Sight’ After Breaking Silence Over Coronavirus, Expert Says

Melania Trump is largely out of sight after she broke her silence over coronavirus.

The First Lady of the United States used to remain mum about COVID-19. In fact, when she attended the National PTA Legislative Conference, she didn’t mention coronavirus in her speech even if it was part of the agenda.

Interestingly, the FLOTUS broke her silence over the issue on social media when she encouraged everyone to follow the CDC guidelines and to practice social distancing. However, after making the move, CNN correspondent Kate Bennett pointed out that Melania “remains largely out of sight on the crisis.”

Melania made the tweet on Sunday evening, but she has never been seen in public since March 10 when she delivered a speech at the PTA leaders conference. Also, President Donald Trump’s wife was supposed to make a fundraising event in California, but she canceled it due to “scheduling conflict.”

Melania’s absence during the crisis is very different from how the previous first ladies handled similar situations before. Bennett noted that the U.S. first ladies used their role to be vocal administration advocates. Kate Andersen Brower, CNN contributor and author, agreed with this.

“After 9/11, Laura Bush became the first first lady to deliver the weekly presidential radio address -- she used it to draw attention to human rights abuses against Afghan women,” Andersen Brower said. “It was a powerful message to have the first lady take that leadership role as calmer-in-chief.”

Also, during the Great Depression, Eleanor Roosevelt summoned empathy and increased the support for the war effort after the Pearl Harbor bombing. She encouraged Melania to follow Roosevelt’s example.

“I think Melania could look at what Eleanor Roosevelt did and talk about her own fears, for her own family, and help people 'rise above,' the crisis, as Roosevelt said in her radio address after Pearl Harbor,” she said.

“Melania's 'Be Best' campaign is focused on children so this is an opportunity for her to offer parents suggestions for how to talk to their children, many of whom are home from school for weeks.”