Hey there. Let's talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the gender pay gap in the White House. Now, we’ve all heard about the wage gap in America—women on average make about 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. But things get even more interesting when you zoom in on the White House. While U.S. presidents have been pulling in a cool $400,000 per year since 2001, First Ladies, like Melania Trump, are getting exactly… zero dollars.
Let’s break it down: First Ladies are essentially doing the work of high-level government employees but without the paycheck. They’re out there representing the administration, promoting social causes, attending state functions, and managing White House staff. It’s not exactly a part-time gig. In fact, experts estimate that if First Ladies were paid for their work, they’d be earning around $173,500 annually. But nope, not a penny.
Why Does This Matter?
Back in 1982, former President Ronald Reagan pointed out just how much work First Ladies do when he said, “You know, with the First Lady, the government gets an employee free.” He added, “They have her just about as busy as they have me.” And let’s not forget, many First Ladies leave behind successful, high-paying careers to take on this unpaid role. Take Hillary Clinton, for example, who was a partner at the prestigious Rose Law Firm in Arkansas. Or Michelle Obama, who was earning a six-figure salary as an executive at the University of Chicago Hospitals before moving into the White House.
Read also:Michelle Obama Spills The Beans On Life In The White House
But What’s in It for Them?
Now, before you think it’s all bad news, let’s talk about the perks. While the First Lady position doesn’t come with a salary, it does come with some pretty sweet benefits. For starters, there’s the lifelong pension, free accommodations in one of the most iconic addresses in the world, free travel around the globe, and a personal security detail. Plus, the only real job requirement is being married to the President of the United States. Not too shabby, right?
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
What About the President?
Oh, and by the way, let’s not forget that current President Donald Trump isn’t exactly lining his pockets with his White House gig either. Sure, the Commander in Chief role comes with a $400,000 salary (plus a $50,000 expense account), but Trump promised not to take a salary during his presidency. Whether it’s about optics or solidarity with Melania, the fact remains that he’s donated his salary to various government departments, including the National Park Service, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Transportation.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
So, Is Melania Making Money Elsewhere?
Now, here’s the twist: Melania might not be drawing a salary as First Lady, but that doesn’t mean she’s not benefitting financially. According to a recent lawsuit, she was expecting to develop “multi-million dollar business relationships” tied to her role in the White House. As Norman Eisen, former chief ethics counselor to President Barack Obama, put it, “The Trumps are using the White House like the Kardashians used reality TV, to build and vastly expand their overall business enterprises.”
