Melania Trump Joins the President at the World Cup
Joining in Trump’s FIFA World Cup suite were world leaders, royalty and administration officials.
First Lady Melania Trump accompanied her husband President Donald Trump for the final match of the World Cup on Sunday at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where Spain’s Lamine Yamar defeated Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
The first lady was photographed in the viewing box with world leaders, royalty and administration officials. She wore a tan nylon track jacket by Thom Browne with a red, white and blue striped collar, a white Gap T‑shirt, white Ralph Lauren belted trousers, and oversized aviator sunglasses.
Guests of Trump in his box included King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, White House FIFA Taskforce executive director Andrew Giuliani, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Patriots owner Bob Kraft and Brian Kilmeade from Fox News, Politico reported.
After the match, the president walked onto the field to a sustained chorus of boos. He participated in the trophy ceremony where he handed the FIFA World Cup trophy to the Spanish captain, then remained on the medal platform long enough for the first series of photos.
The World Cup drew celebrities and music performances by Jennifer Hudson singing the National Anthem, and an 11-minute halftime show starring Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Kermit and Miss Piggy from the Muppets.
Calendar
July 22, 2026
Private Tour of the Val-Kill Furniture Exhibit at the Met Museum
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill announces that the Metropolitan Museum of Art is opening an exhibit on Val-Kill Industries furniture from July 18, 2026–May 9, 2027, and the Center will take a few of its supporters on a private tour of the exhibit on July 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time. This tour will be led by the exhibit curator, Alyce Perry Englund, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s great-granddaughter, Anna Eleanor Fierst. There will also be lunch included after the tour at the American Wing Cafe inside the museum. The Met will be closed during this tour and there will not be access to the building beyond the American Wing. Tickets are a $100 donation. Read more
July 25, 2026
First Ladies for Kids: Eleanor Roosevelt
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a lively, age-appropriate introduction to Eleanor Roosevelt for children from 11 to 11:30 a.m. local time on July 25. The free event designed for children ages 7–10 brings history to life with fun, hands-on activities that inspire curiosity and creativity. There will be interactive activities that combine history, art, reading, spelling, and math; a complimentary take-home workbook for continued learning; and an opportunity to explore the historic Saxton-McKinley House with a National Park Service Ranger. Registration is requested for planning purposes. Read more
July 25, 2026
Suffragist Tea Party
The Clinton Presidential Library presents an in-person Suffragist Tea Party on Saturday, July 25, at 2 p.m. CT in commemoration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
This event will feature tea party snacks and beverages to recognize Arkansas’ unique and progressive place in the history of women’s fight for equality. Beginning in 1917, Arkansas allowed women to vote in primary elections. At the time, it was the only non-suffrage state to grant this right. On July 28, 1919, Arkansas became the 12th state to ratify the 19th Amendment, and the first Southern state to do so. This festive celebration is hosted as part of the Clinton Presidential Center’s America250 commemorations, honoring the nation’s history and recognizing important lessons to improve its future. Period attire is not required but encouraged. Read more
Aug. 4, 2026
White House History Live: An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln
The White House Historical Association presents White House History Live: An Inconvenient Widow: The Torment, Trial, and Triumph of Mary Todd Lincoln, at 5:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 4, 2026, as part of its YouTube and Facebook Live series.
Former Washington Post writer and columnist Lois Romano joins to discuss her new biography of Mary Todd Lincoln, one of the most misunderstood and vilified first ladies in American history. Romano’s research draws on hundreds of archives, letters, and memoirs to provide the most complete portrait—of not simply of an inconvenient widow, but of a brilliant and flawed woman, who possessed uncommon tenacity in the face of extraordinary adversity and personal torment, and helped launch one of America’s greatest presidents.
This virtual event will be live streamed on the White House Historical Association’s Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on August 4. Read more
Aug. 7, 2026
Legacy Lecture: Mary Lincoln’s Photograph Album
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents the virtual “Legacy Lecture: Mary Lincoln’s Photograph Album” with scholar Laura Keyes exploring a remarkable piece of personal history and what it reveals about Mary Lincoln and the Lincoln family.
Through the images she preserved, the album tells not only Mrs. Lincoln’s story but also the story of the Lincoln family during one of the most pivotal eras in American history. Read more
Aug. 12, 2026
Talk with a Curator
Go behind the scenes on Aug. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET in a virtual program presented by the National First Ladies Library & Museum for a rare opportunity to learn how history is researched, cared for, and shared—straight from the curators who make it happen. Read more
Aug. 15-16, 2026
5th Annual Butterfly Daze
The Friends of Jimmy Carter presents the 5th Annual Butterfly Daze Weekend from Aug. 15-16, 2026 in Plains, Georgia, celebrating the “First Lady from Plains,” Rosalynn Carter. The two-day event will include the Rosalynn Carter Memorial Food Distribution; Apartment 9A tours, where the Carters first lived in Plains; a Butterfly Garden hands-on experience; lunch with Lincoln; Cooking with the First Ladies Man and Rosalynn’s family; Presidential Descendants VIP Reception; Give ‘Em Hell Harry play with Harry Truman grandson Clifton Truman Daniel; “Rosalynn” Sunday community-wide service and fellowship taught by Carter family member Courtney Wall; and a wreath laying ceremony at the Carter Gardens. Read more
Aug. 22, 2026
History talk: The Wedding of Ulysses and Julia Grant
On a hot August day in 1848, Ulysses S. Grant and Julia Dent were married at the Dent family’s home in downtown St. Louis, beginning a partnership that would withstand war, separation, financial hardship, and public life. This free program to be held from 10 to 11 a.m. local time explores the Grants’ courtship and wedding, examining the experiences and influences that brought them together. Through letters, photographs, and historical accounts, David Newmann, the Program Manager for Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers at Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, will explore the story behind the Grants’ wedding day and the bond that endured through decades of personal and national change. Read more
Sept. 8-10, 2026
Presidential Sites Summit
The White House Historical Association will host the Presidential Sites Summit at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. on September 8-10, 2026.
This convening will bring together leaders and staff from presidential sites nationwide, including birthplaces, childhood homes, libraries, museums and alma maters—to reflect on the America 250 semi-quincentennial celebrations and accomplishments and look to the future. The program emphasizes lessons learned, future collaborations, and strategies for sustaining relevance in a dynamic cultural landscape. Read more
Updated July 20, 2026
Send calendar items, press releases and announcements to jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.