California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an unusual detail about former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in his memoir, revealing a surprising sleeping arrangement aboard Air Force One. The story comes from a visit in 2018 when Newsom toured the presidential aircraft with Trump while traveling to wildfire-damaged areas in California.
Air Force One Tour Reveals Unexpected Detail
In his memoir Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, Gavin Newsom described a visit to Air Force One during a trip with Donald Trump in November 2018. At the time, Trump had traveled to California to assess the damage caused by devastating wildfires, including the destruction of the town of Paradise.
After meeting with local officials in Northern California, Trump invited Newsom aboard the presidential plane to travel to Southern California. The Woolsey Fire was spreading across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the two leaders were headed there to survey the damage.
According to Newsom’s account, Trump enthusiastically showed him around the aircraft during the flight.
Newsom wrote that the former president seemed excited while giving the tour, appearing almost like “a giddy child” as he pointed out the features of the aircraft.
Inside the Presidential Bedroom
During the tour, Trump reportedly called Newsom over to see the bedroom on Air Force One. Newsom described the room as having two separate beds placed several feet apart.
The governor wrote that Trump explained the arrangement directly.
According to Newsom, Trump told him that Melania preferred one bed but that the room had two beds positioned next to each other.
Newsom suggested in the memoir that Trump appeared to make the remark with a playful tone, even appearing to wink while explaining the setup.
The anecdote has drawn attention because of long-running speculation about the private relationship between the former president and first lady.
Speculation About the Trumps’ Marriage
Reports about Donald and Melania Trump maintaining separate sleeping arrangements have circulated for several years.
In 2018, a Washington Post report suggested the couple maintained separate bedrooms inside the White House residence.
Observers have also noted that the pair often appeared to lead largely independent schedules and activities.
Some commentators have suggested this arrangement is unusual for a presidential couple, though separate bedrooms are not uncommon among high-profile public figures.
Biographer Comments on the Relationship
Trump biographer Michael Wolff also discussed the couple’s relationship during a 2025 podcast interview.
During an appearance on The Daily Beast Podcast, Wolff said the president and first lady appeared to live largely separate lives.
He suggested that their relationship did not resemble a traditional marriage, though neither Trump nor Melania has publicly confirmed such claims.
Separate Rooms During Official Visits
Similar reports emerged during the couple’s visit to the United Kingdom in 2025.
According to media reports at the time, Melania Trump stayed in a separate suite during the visit to Windsor Castle.
Commentary columns even joked about the arrangement, noting the couple appeared to occupy different sleeping quarters during official trips.
However, the White House has rarely addressed these reports directly.
Longtime Marriage and Family
Despite ongoing speculation, Donald and Melania Trump have been married since 2005.
The couple shares one son, Barron Trump, who is now 19 years old.
Throughout Trump’s political career, Melania maintained a relatively private public profile compared with many previous first ladies.
Reaction to the Memoir Story
Newsom’s anecdote about the Air Force One bedroom arrangement quickly drew public interest after the memoir was released.
Political observers noted that the story highlights the unusual moments that sometimes occur behind the scenes during high-level government travel.
The White House did not immediately comment on Newsom’s recollection.
As with many political memoirs, the story reflects the author’s personal perspective on events and interactions with other leaders.
