'Melania may feel more empowered' as first lady with Ivanka out of the picture: biographer

Melania Trump is heading into another tenure as first lady with more confidence, according to sources, especially since her stepdaughter is out of the picture.

Her husband Donald Trump is returning to the White House with a better understanding of how to work the levers of power to press his agenda, and the first lady herself has signaled that she learned from her first time in the role and has prepared to take on a more prominent role, reported CNN.

“It’s really clear that she has a confidence that we didn’t necessarily see the first time around. She understands not only what’s at stake for this administration, but what’s at stake for her,” said former journalist Kate Bennett, the author of “Free, Melania."

Melania Trump spent the two months since Election Day engaged in intense preparation for her return to the White House, sources told CNN, by studying foreign affairs and joining her husband for VIP dinners at his Mar-a-Lago resort, but Bennett said she understands that most of the focus on her would be what she's wearing.

"They’re going to do it anyway,” Bennett said. “Might as well send a message of, ‘I’m serious this time, not messing around — and let’s get to it.’”

She'll probably be more comfortable leaning into the role now that Ivanka Trump, the president's eldest daughter, has seemingly left politics and won't be serving as a White House adviser, Bennett said.

“With the absence of Ivanka," she said, "Melania may feel more empowered to be the female figurehead of this administration."