Trumps don’t change their stripes, as everyone knows, but this time, one cat may have far more power over the country’s future than the others. She just likely won’t use it. Let’s explain.

Regular readers know that we at this site have never spared much of anything when it came to Melania’s richly deserved criticism. However, it is almost impossible to criticize her for a decision we support, that she has no interest in another White House run. But this is Mel and we can achieve the “almost impossible” easily. She deserves plenty of criticism, even now, even for this.

This morning on CNN, Kaitlin Collins hosted Kate Bennett, who made Melania’s intentions going forward perfectly clear. Melania will not be part of any campaign. Second verse, same as the first, we’ll party like it’s 2016. Bennett stated:

“Not unlike 2016, Melania Trump has no intention really of joining the campaign or being a prolific presence. I’ve spoken to people who said that she’s not really even interested in being in the White House again, going through being first lady again.”

All that work! Fuk Christmas! Go to Michigan? Who could ever have possibly guessed that Mel would balk at a campaign in flyover country and another shot to live in America’s mansion! She has a perfectly good mansion to live in without having to, you know, “do stuff.”

“We know she’s an extremely private person and that being in the public eye wasn’t necessarily something she wanted to do in the first place. She’s retreated now back to Mar-a-Lago, being a mom, et cetera, and she really has no interest in helping her husband with his perceived, as we all know, his political ambitions.”

NO! She was not so much a private person as one that couldn’t deal with criticism or – and this is important – anything that wasn’t glowing praise. Mel could take even the mildest observations that “could” be considered negative and have her staff in the East Wing write out some grossly entitled, passive-aggressive, demand that the press leave her alone… except those good outlets that praise her. She found all the time in the world for them.

Kaitlin then did a quick “Kaitlin,” and asked a question that makes absolutely no sense: “Is this not a conversation that’s happening?” (Kaitlin, try “Are they having any conversations about this? Or do they not talk) The question makes Bennett’s answer almost as nonsensical:

“I don’t think that’s how they operate. People are under the misconception that this is a couple that don’t spend time together, they don’t talk — it’s really not true.

Except it is true. They can talk all they want, but given that one of the parties is Trump, the conversation isn’t going to involve anything except business details, which – in this case, would mean whether Melania might actively work against a campaign. If she truly doesn’t want to be the First Lady again – and there’s every reason to believe that she is sincere in her convictions – then Trump has to worry about one of the few people on earth who could scuttle his entire operation. These are business details and they likely get tossed around a lot. If Mel is concerned about Barron going to college somewhat normally (and she likely would be and that’s legitimate), Trump knows he has to factor it in. He knows it gets expensive keeping the woman that could destroy him happy.

They have very independent lives but they do consult each other. In 2016 when she was asked to do events, asked to go on campaign events and rallies, the answer was ‘no’ so often that people on Trump’s campaign just stopped asking her because it was always going to be a no — and we’ll see that again this time around.

See? “Consult,” it’s a business. Mel should charge by the hour… wait, let’s rephrase that. Melania knows that she has a lot of power in this dynamic and, she is a Trump, she’s not going to change her stripes. In the end, it will come down to money and some kind of agreement, like Mel living as sort of a “First Lady Emeritus” in Mar-a-Lago, and Ivanka playing the everyday real role in the East Wing. God help us all, this can only come about if he wins.

Keep it up, Mel. Given that you have always had your price and can always work something out, we’re sure that you’ll find a way, like in 2016, to avoid most everything. Only, this time, “most everything” surely means “all of it.”

But these two aren’t fooling anyone. It won’t raise a single eyebrow when an announcement comes out that “For Barron’s benefit, Melania will play no role in the campaign or as First Lady…” Even the MAGAs understand and simply don’t care. A lot like Mel, actually.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LeftScoop.news. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.