Melania
US First Lady Melania Trump (L) and Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tour Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Reuters/Joe Skipper

Melania Trump’s ratings as first lady is improving since her husband, US President Donald Trump, took office in January. A few months since then, a recent poll reported that 52 percent of Americans now has a favourable view of the new first lady. The president, on the other hand, is favourable according to 45 percent of Americans.

The poll was conducted by CNN with research firm ORC International earlier this month. They conducted the same poll on February, which indicated that 24 percent of the respondents say they had never heard of Melania. This month, her approval ratings have reportedly grown to its highest.

The data shows that the first lady is currently more popular than her husband. The FLOTUS is favoured by 58 percent of men and 60 percent of white Americans.

More than 1,000 Americans participated in the survey. The respondents replied via their cellphones and landlines between March 1 and March 4. Meanwhile, 86 percent of Republicans perceive the FLOTUS as favourable while 22 percent of Democrats feel the same.

Melania’s predecessor, Michelle Obama, has left the White House with 70 percent of Americans think she is favourable. Only 26 percent of Americans have an unfavourable view of the former FLOTUS and 5 percent did not have an opinion of her. In April 2009, Obama had a favourable rating of 93 percent among Democrats and 50 percent among Republicans. Laura Bush, the last Republican first lady prior to Melania, has 56 percent of women seeing her as favourable and 55 percent of men feels the same.

Melania has been present in some major events in the White House, such as a luncheon held for the for International Women's Day. The event was also attended by first daughter Ivanka Trump, Kellyanne Conway and second lady Karen Pence. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon and Main Senator Susan Collins were also part of the guest list.

Earlier this month, the FLOTUS announced the reopening of the White House for visitors."I am excited to reopen the White House to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each year. The White House is a remarkable and historic site and we are excited to share its beauty and history,” she said in a statement. Another major White House event that Melania is expected to attend is this year’s East Egg Roll on the South Lawn which is scheduled on April 17.

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