Melania Trump Holds Private Meeting with Freed American-Israeli Hostage Keith Siegel
The first lady credits her efforts for helping secure his release.
First Lady Melania Trump on Wednesday met privately with freed American-Israeli hostages Keith Siegel and his wife, Aviva, in the White House. The meeting comes more than a year after the first lady sat down with Aviva Siegel in January 2025 in New York City, a meeting, according to the White House, that sparked a series of events that ultimately led to Keith Siegel’s release from Hamas.
Mrs. Trump hosted the couple in the Blue Room where Keith Siegel shared his appreciation for the effort the first lady and the president made for his safe return upon his release in February 2025.
“I was deeply moved to hear from the first lady about the meetings she held with my wife, Aviva, while I was in captivity, and about the strength and support she gave to the families of the hostages throughout that difficult journey,” Keith Siegel said.
After Aviva Siegel was freed she wanted to set up a meeting with Mrs. Trump, which ultimately served as a catalyst to the events leading up to her husband’s freedom, according to the White House.
“It was emotional meeting, and it is captured on camera and available to see [in] the film, Melania,” said the first lady, who later responded to a question from the press in the room asking if she was promoting her recently released film by saying it was not a promotion and that they were there to celebrate the release of the hostages. Wednesday’s meeting was requested by the Siegels, she said.
Aviva Siegel’s meeting with Melania Trump in January 2025 was an event that was documented in the first lady’s self-titled film. In one scene, Mrs. Trump comforted Aviva when she broke down in tears, promising to pray for her husband. “I will always use my influence and power to fight for those in need,” Mrs. Trump said in the film.
At the end of the film, a series of title cards lists her accomplishments as first lady in her first year back in the White House, including: “Melania Trump played a key role in securing the release of Keith Siegel after 484 days as a hostage in Gaza, just 12 days after the inauguration.”
During their initial encounter, Aviva Siegel gifted Mrs. Trump a handmade book about her husband Keith Siegel and the brutal events surrounding October 7, 2023. Mrs. Trump shared the handmade book and Keith Siegel’s story with President Trump later that evening in January 2025.
“I gave it to my husband and informed him the situation, and I know he was fighting for all the hostages,” Mrs. Trump said.
During Wednesday’s meeting the first lady also responded to a question asking if she’s working to release more Ukrainian children.
“I’m working on it. I’m working on it, and we are in the process. So I hope to have success very soon. I will keep you posted,” she said.
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