Cast your vote: Should We Pay the First Lady?
Plus, all eyes on the Trumps at the Kennedy Center amid unrest.
From the Editor: Nearly two years ago, we launched East Wing Magazine to help tell the stories of America’s first ladies—historic figures in their own right—whose contributions to the presidency are just coming to light thanks to the foundational scholarship and research that began to take root in the mid-1980s. Our examination of these women over the past months has reported a reoccurring theme of parity for women in society. The position of first lady since the country’s founding has been increasingly visible and consequential, yet always voluntary. So as the country approaches its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, first ladies biographer Annette Dunlap this week for East Wing Magazine asked an obvious, yet, sensitive question: Should we pay the first lady?
Dunlap’s consideration of the question is comprehensive and nuanced. Now, we’d like to hear what you think.
Cast Your Vote:
Read the story: Should We Pay the First Lady?
June 11, 2025 — “Where’s Melania?” asked The New York Times in the headline of an article published on May 7. As of that date, Mrs. Trump had spent less than two weeks in the White House since her husband’s inauguration on January 20. The article implied that Mrs. Trump owed the American people a full-time first lady measured by daily residence in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Taylor’s May 15 piece in East Wing Magazine responded to the “Where’s Melania?” question. Taylor highlighted the numerous responsibilities of the first lady’s office and noted that Mrs. Trump is deftly handling her duties, regardless of the number of days she has been present in the Executive Mansion.
“The first lady is in charge of the White House,” Anita McBride, the director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University and former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, said in a recent interview. “Every single day something comes up from housekeeping or the curator or the household staff. Much of the work that gets done to maintain the White House at the museum quality that the American people expect and want gets done behind the scenes.” The scope of the first lady’s responsibilities suggests that the Times might have asked a different question: Is it time to pay the first lady for the work she does on behalf of the American people? Read the rest of the story
Cheers, Jeers and How the Media Covered the Trumps' Kennedy Center Debut
Thousands of miles away, tensions were still flaring on the streets of Los Angeles where protests erupted days earlier in response to immigration enforcement raids. The situation crescendoed after President Donald Trump mobilized National Guard troops plus 700 Marines—against California Governor Gavin Newsom’s will—to quell a demonstration that resulted in nearly 400 arrests as of Thursday.
On Wednesday, cities across the country including New York, Chicago, Austin, and San Francisco also saw protests pop up. And against the backdrop of the unrest, the president and First Lady Melania Trump made their first appearance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the cultural arts center of Washington, D.C., for the opening night performance of “Les Misérables” where they were met with a reception of cheers and jeers.
When the lights came on after the end of the first act, CNN reported, many audience members cheered and clapped as the president and first lady stood up. “But a woman below, seated in the orchestra section, started yelling: ‘Felon, you’re a convicted felon,’” according to the account that went on to describe how the woman was eventually escorted out.
There were also reports of patriotic chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” to the audible boos in the auditorium. And signs of resistance to the president’s policies included a group of attendees dressed in drag.
An individual in attendance dressed in drag and who identifies as nonbinary told The New York Times: “You can’t erase us.” They added that their message to the president was: “We’re here, we’re queer, get use to it.”
From the red carpet earlier in the evening, USA Today reported that Mr. Trump told reporters that the evening doubled as a fundraiser for the Kennedy Center and had raised over $10 million. “Donors could pay up to $2 million to attend the opening night, which includes a reception, premier seating, and a photo with Trump,” the report said.
Politico provided readers a full-throated understanding of the symbolism of “Les Misérables” as seen by Mr. Trump’s MAGA supporters from the moment “U.S. Army Chorus marched into the White House’s State Dining Room in February, singing the rousing anthem ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’” to the Kennedy Center stage, that Mr. Trump effectively took over and named as chairman upon his inauguration.
“But what Democrats missed in their hopeful reading was how the song has in the last eight years become an unofficial anthem for the MAGA movement—with the Governors Ball only the latest example of how deep a root Les Mis has taken in Trump world,” the story reads.
Other outlets, including Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily, took inventory of the first lady’s chosen attire.
Mrs. Trump “opted for a black sleeveless Bottega Veneta gown with a high boatneck and gold neck fastening,” according to Vogue, adding: “The continued choice of looks that blend in and keep quiet, more than the Melania Trumpian history of flair and flamboyant fashion, felt considered, given the deployment of thousands of National Guard and military troops to Los Angeles amid protests around federal immigration raids.”
While Women’s Wear Daily made a special note of the first lady’s footwear: “Melania’s shoes featured a metallic finish in gold and silver and a pointed-toe silhouette, as well as So Kate’s signature 120-mm stiletto heel. The first lady has been seen wearing the So Kate style many times before, including at the G7 Summit and while boarding Air Force One.”
Their full stories are included in The Weekly Wrap.
The Weekly Wrap
The Weekly Wrap is a collection of headlines from the past week. Some publications have paywalls.
CNN
Shouts of ‘Felon’ and ‘We Love You’: Inside Trump’s Charged Visit to the Kennedy Center
June 12, 2025 — When the lights came on after the end of the first act Wednesday, many people cheered and clapped as the president and First Lady Melania Trump stood up. But a woman below, seated in the orchestra section, started yelling: “Felon, you’re a convicted felon.” Read more
Politico
The Musical That Makes MAGA’s Rebel Hearts Sing
June 12, 2025 — When the U.S. Army Chorus marched into the White House’s State Dining Room in February, singing the rousing anthem “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Misérables to President Donald Trump and his guests at the annual Governors Ball, some on the left read it as a cry of resistance. Read more
The New York Times
A Night Out for Trump at the Theater, With a Pocket of Dissent
June 12, 2025 — Moments before President Trump arrived inside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for Wednesday’s opening night performance of “Les Misérables,” a couple of drag queens (and at least one drag king) entered the theater and took their seats near the stage. Read more
USA Today
Trump and FLOTUS Booed and Cheered at the Kennedy Center While Attending 'Les Misérables'
June 12, 2025 — President Donald Trump was both cheered and booed June 11 as he attended a performance of "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts facility he has subjected to a conservative takeover. The mixed reception for Trump and his wife Melania as they arrived in the presidential box reflected the heightened emotions that have been unleashed by his overhaul of the cultural center. This was his first time attending a show at the famed location, where he installed himself as chairman in February after firing many members of the board. Read more
Vogue
Melania Trump and Usha Vance Opt for All-Black To See Les Mis
June 12, 2025 — Against the backdrop of ICE raids and continuing protests in Los Angeles, the Trumps and the Vances dressed up for the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.—the musical about redemption, justice, and revolution in 19th century France. Read more
Women’s Wear Daily
Melania Trump Wears Metallic Louboutins for Kennedy Center’s ‘Les Misérables’ Opening Night
June 12, 2025 — Melania Trump made a rare red carpet appearance on Wednesday, attending the opening night of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump, the first lady showed off her penchant for luxury fashion, wearing a metallic pair of Christian Louboutin’s So Kate pumps with a Bottega Veneta dress. Read more
USA Today
Michelle Obama Reveals Her Marriage Mentor After Slamming Barack Obama Divorce Rumors
June 12, 2025 — Michelle Obama is revealing who she and former President Barack Obama look to for marriage advice. On the Wednesday, June 11, episode of her podcast "IMO," which she hosted solo without cohost and brother Craig Robinson, the former first lady welcomed family friend Bruce Springsteen onto the show as a guest. Read more
IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Accept Your Parents’ Limits with Bruce Springsteen
June 11, 2025 — Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen joins Michelle (Craig is out sick!) to answer a question from a listener who is struggling with her relationship to her father. Bruce talks about therapy and how it helped him become a better father to his kids. Michelle talks about the joy of having an adult relationship with her children, and Bruce shares advice on how to accept the limits of other people. Plus! A special musical interlude from Michelle. View here
East Wing Magazine
USPS Dedicates Barbara Bush Postal Stamp
June 10, 2025 — Friends and family members of former First Lady Barbara Bush gathered in Kennebunkport, Maine, Tuesday where the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the wife of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, two days after what would have been her 100th birthday. Read more
Today
Barack and Michelle Obama Share Rare Family Photo in Honor of Sasha's 24th Birthday
June 10, 2025 — Barack and Michelle Obama are paying tribute to their youngest daughter, Sasha Obama, in honor of her 24th birthday. Read more
San Angelo Live
Pfluger Introduces Resolution to Honor First Lady Barbara Bush's 100th Birthday
June 7, 2025 — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced a Resolution commemorating the 100th Birthday of First Lady Barbara Bush today to honor her service to our nation.
“Barbara Bush exemplified excellence in every aspect of her life, but especially in her role as a public servant," said Rep. Pfluger. "She served our nation with grace and distinction as both Second and First Lady of the United States.” Read more
Women
First Lady Wedding Gowns That Wouldn't Make It Down Today's Aisle
June 7, 2025 — Of all the jobs in the world, the presidency invites a pretty close comparison to marriage. The commander-in-chief is, surely, wedded to the office, bound to duty, and committed, in theory, to something larger than himself. And yet, before the first oath is taken on the Capitol steps, someone else takes another set of vows: the woman standing beside him. Read more
Great thought-provoking article Jennifer.