The Blubber

When Donald and Melania Trump return to the White House on Inauguration Day next year, they’ll find it almost exactly as they left it four years ago—right down to the Diet Coke button on the Oval Office desk.

This seamless transition is made possible by the White House residence staff, a team of nearly 100 nonpolitical employees who remain in place across administrations. On the morning of January 20, they’ll execute a meticulously planned operation to move the outgoing president and first lady out while settling the incoming ones in—all within about five hours.

Months of preparation go into this process. Once President Joe Biden announced his departure from the presidential race in July, the staff began planning for the arrival of a new first family, regardless of who it would be.

By the time the Trumps step into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, everything will be set up to their preferences: clothes hung in their closets, favorite foods stocked in the kitchen, and even their preferred shampoo in the bathrooms. Family photos will adorn the spaces, and furniture will be arranged to their liking.

For the residence staff, this transition will be relatively straightforward because they already know the Trumps from their first tenure.

“It’s easier because they’ve lived there before,” Kate Andersen Brower, author of The Residence, told DailyMail.com. “There aren’t any mysteries about what they like for breakfast, how they operate, or what kind of shampoo they use. The staff knows everything already.”

When Donald and Melania Trump left the White House on January 20, 2021, it marked the end of their first term—but come January 20, 2025, they’ll return.

Meanwhile, the staff will also be packing up the belongings of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, ensuring the transition is just as smooth for the outgoing family as it is for the incoming one.

A Nonpartisan Tradition

The White House staff is prepared for any eventuality, whether it’s a returning family or a new one entirely. Had Kamala Harris won the election, they would have been equally ready.

“They would have done their research on Kamala Harris and her family and their lifestyle,” Brower explained. “Since she was Vice President, there would already be some understanding. They likely would have spoken with the Naval Observatory staff to coordinate and learn about preferences.”

The residence staff’s roles are permanent and apolitical, ensuring they can maintain professionalism and strong relationships with whoever occupies the Oval Office. Their work ensures continuity at the White House, even amidst the changes in leadership.