Barbara Bush Glad Melania Went to White House Instead of Bill Clinton

In a new biography “The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty” is a biography about the former first lady Barbara Bush set to be published on April 2, 2019, from Tuesday by Twelve, a branch of the Hachette Book Group. The author, USA Today’s Washington bureau chief, interviewed Bush five times before her death at 92-years-old on April 17, 2018.

Bush permitted Page to read her private diaries for the book.

Although the former first lady did not vote for Donald Trump for President, she did write his wife Melania a letter welcoming her to the “First Ladies’ Club” and said she was “glad” to do so.

Bush wrote this letter to Melania instead of one to Bill Clinton who would have entered if Hillary, his wife had been elected President.

Bush wrote to Melania: “Dear Mrs. Trump, The entire world thought I would be writing this letter to Bill Clinton. I am happy that I did not have to do so. I wanted to welcome you to the First Ladies’ club personally.  My children were older than yours, and I did not have the same problems as you have. Whatever you choose to do is only your business and your business alone.”

Bush sent the letter to Melania two weeks after the news broke that Trump won the election and she was being scrutinized about when she would move from New York to the White House in Washington, D.C.

Bush continued in her letter saying “It is an absolute joy living in the White House, and everybody’s job is to make sure you are happy.  If you decide it is best to stay in New York City, that is perfectly fine also. When you eventually move to the White House your son should be permitted to bring along a friend. That is my advice. I give you which I know is unasked. God Bless you.”

It was reported that Melania Trump was unhappy with that she was now in politics after her husband was elected President. It was unprecedented to remain in New York at Trump Tower with Barron Trump, their son, instead of immediately moving to the White House.

At the time, Melania said that since Trump was traveling a great deal, her son needed a parent, and she is continuous with him. Melania moved to the White House with her son five months after Trump became President.

Bush, not expecting Trump to win the presidency, wrote a congratulations letter to ex-President Bill Clinton humorously welcoming him to “The First Ladies Club.” She wrote that she could not wait to initiate him.

Melania Trump attended the funeral of Bush, which President Trump decided not to attend.

The First Lady tweeted: “It was my honor and privilege to give my respects to Barbara Bush and remember the amazing life she led as a wife, mother, and First Lady. My thoughts and prayers go out to George H.W. Bush and everybody within the Bush family.”

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

Newsweek: BARBARA BUSH WAS ‘GLAD’ MELANIA TRUMP ENTERED WHITE HOUSE INSTEAD OF BILL CLINTON
AOL: Barbara Bush wrote letter to Melania Trump after election, new biography reveals
Daily Mail: Revealed: the letter Barbara Bush wrote to Melania Trump welcoming her to the ‘First Ladies Club’ – and the joke she had ready for ‘first husband’ Bill Clinton

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of The US National Archieves’ Flickr – Creative Commons License