Melania Trump makes significant change to first lady's office after Michelle

First lady Melania Trump reportedly has a much slimmer budget for employees than her predecessor, Michelle Obama.

In 2017, Trump is listed as having four staffers, just a quarter of the former first lady’s staff of 16.

According to FOX News, the salaries of the current first lady’s employees add up to less than $487,00 annually.

A sharp drop from the $1.24 million total earned by the people working under Michelle Obama.

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Trump’s spokesperson told Fox News she is being mindful of taxpayer dollars and focusing on "quality over quantity," explaining:

"It is important to her that the team is a good fit for what she wants to accomplish as first lady, and that everyone works well together."

Each first lady has staffers who don’t have "first lady" in their titles — with Michelle Obama’s press secretary telling FactCheck.org Obama had a total staff of 24 in 2009.

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By comparison, 18 people were confirmed as working for Laura Bush in 2008, and Hillary Clinton reportedly had 19 staffers in 2000. Fox News also reports nine people work for Melania Trump in all.

The fact check post also cites a Rider University professor who said, historically, a first lady’s staff generally "numbers about 14-16."

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