Out of Melania’s ten-strong team, five are currently on unpaid leave. Only 21 of the 79 White House residence staff have been deemed essential. The shutdown, already the longest in US history, is about to enter its 27th day.
Speaking to DailyMail.com Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s communications director, said: “We have no advance teams or support staff.”
Melania hasn’t been seen in public since December 26, though she remains active on social media.
The First Lady’s office is also responsible for operating public tours, which are currently suspended.
The lack of residential staff has affected the White House’s ability to host events.
A reception on Monday for the Clemson Tigers, the 2018 College Football Playoff champions, did not receive the usual level of attention.
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There were no floral arrangements or tablecloths, whilst fast food was served to the athletes which had been paid for by Trump personally.
The President provided food from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Dominos, some of it presented in White House branded containers.
Addressing the athletes Trump commented: “I had a choice, do we have no food for you, because of the shutdown, or do we give you some little quick salads that the First Lady will make.
“I said, you guys aren’t into salads.”
Earlier he told reporters: “We have pizzas, we have hamburgers, many French fries, all of our favourite foods.”
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The partial US government shutdown began at midnight on December 22, after Trump refused to sign a finance Bill unless Congress included funding for his proposed wall along the US-Mexico border.
Democrats in Congress blocked this, arguing it wouldn’t be an effective use of public money.
Since the shutdown began 800,000 government employees have either been sent home or are working without pay.
On January 12 the shutdown became the longest in American history, overtaking the previous record of 21 days in 1995-6 under President Bill Clinton.
Yesterday Trump signed a bill which will provide back pay to government employees hit by the shutdown when it ends, though there is no indication this is imminent.