Melania Trump: We Stand As ‘Influential Advocates’
The first lady speaks to Senate spouses about their roles as political ‘partners.’
Melania Trump understands the power and influence of her position as first lady.
And on Wednesday, she leaned into the sway that spouses can have over their political counterparts during her remarks given at the Senate Spouses Luncheon held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where she encouraged spouses in attendance to lean into their own power.
“As we gather here today, we stand not only as partners of elected officials but as influential advocates capable of inspiring change and advancing vital issues,” Mrs. Trump said. “Let us harness our collective power to uplift others and remain dedicated to shaping a brighter future for the next generation, who will lead us forward.”
The remarks come just days after the first lady celebrated her own first accomplishments in influencing policy when earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed into law the Take It Down Act, bipartisan legislation outlawing the sharing of nonconsensual sexual images on technology platforms, for which the first lady advocated after her husband was sworn into office. And there were her successful efforts in steering $25 million from the budget of the of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to a department program that supports youth transitioning out of foster care with funding for rental assistance and other essential services that aligns with the first lady’s Fostering the Future, a Be Best initiative.
“At the core of our gathering is the understanding that empathy and public service are not merely ideals; they are fundamental actions,” Mrs. Trump said. “They manifest in bipartisan laws that protect children from exploitation. They are evident in budgetary choices that prioritize the needs of vulnerable young adults.”
Mrs. Trump’s appearance at the senator’s luncheon also coincided with the debate over her husband’s “big, beautiful bill” taking place on Capitol Hill that was passed by the House on Thursday and that is headed to the Senate for what is expected to be a bitter battle over the megabill.
The role of spouses, Mrs. Trump noted, is as a “formidable force for good.”
The first lady went on in her remarks to urge more bipartisanship and for lawmakers to lead with empathy and foster collaboration and create environments where all children feel safe and empowered.
“Congress wields significant influence over the nation’s character, starting with the preservation of human dignity,” Mrs. Trump said. “It is vital for us, as our spouses’ greatest supporters, to reaffirm the importance of truth and integrity.”
Melania Trump Calls for Confronting Hatred in Wake of DC Murders
In response to the brazen murders of a young couple, also staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trumps released a statement on social media calling for Americans to “reflect on our identity and our collective future” by “upholding the dignity of every individual.”
Here is the first lady’s full statement:
Melania Trump Shares in the Art of Patriotic Crafts
First Lady Melania Trump hosted children at the White House on Tuesday for the White House’s annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day celebration.
The first lady joined children of staff in the Executive Office of the President working on an arts and crafts activity in the Kennedy Garden decorating wooden American flags with patriotic colored markers, star stickers, and tiny pom-poms, according to the White House.
“It is always special to see children’s creativity and spirit on display, especially here at the White House where so many hardworking men and women support the success of our nation every day,” said Trump in a release about the event.
The Weekly Wrap
The Weekly Wrap is a collection of headlines from the past week. Some publications have paywalls.
ABC News
Melania Trump Releases Audiobook of Memoir Created With Artificial Intelligence
May 22, 2025 — First Lady Melania Trump is getting an assist from artificial intelligence for an audiobook version of her memoir that was created entirely with AI and audio technology. She called it "the future of publishing" in her announcement on Thursday. Read more
IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Lead With Purpose with Brian Chesky
May 21, 2025 — This week Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO, Brian Chesky, joins Michelle and Craig at the table to discuss everything from boosting a business out of the startup phase to dating in search of deep connection. Brian shares stories about Airbnb’s early keys to success (hint: it has to do with breakfast cereal), the evolving responsibility of tech companies in the modern age and how young entrepreneurs can navigate the current tech landscape. Plus, Michelle presses Brian on the dating advice he received from a surprising source during the pandemic. View here
CBS
Jill Biden's Former Press Secretary Reacts to ‘Original Sin’ Allegations About President Biden
May 20, 2025 — The new book Original Sin digs into allegations that former President Joe Biden's inner circle fought to hide his mental decline during his time in office. Michael LaRosa, ex-spokesperson for former First Lady Jill Biden, and Lauren Tomlinson, Republican strategist, join "America Decides" with their responses to the book. View here
BBC
Clinton Backs People's Postcode Lottery Law Change
May 20, 2025 — Changes in the law around charity lotteries could bring in “vital new funding into Northern Ireland’s civil society,” Hillary Clinton has said. A video message from the Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast and former U.S. secretary of state will be played to a People’s Postcode Lottery reception in Stormont on Tuesday. Read more
East Wing Magazine
First Lady-Championed Law Criminalizing Nonconsensual Sexual Images Signed By the President
May 19, 2025 — Melania Trump appeared alongside her husband at the White House Rose Garden on Monday where the president signed into law legislation that criminalizes the sharing of nonconsensual sexually explicit images, a cause the first lady championed shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration. Read more
Parade
Michelle Obama Makes Surprising Confession About Her Time As First Lady
May 19, 2025 — During her recent interview on comedian Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang, former First Lady Michelle Obama revealed that typical household tasks were not a part of her daily routine. When it came to cooking food, Obama said she was not the one for the job. Read more
Instagram
Biden: ‘Thank You for Lifting Us Up With Love and Support’
May 19, 2025 — Former President Joe Biden Monday thank people for the outpouring of support in a social media post in the wake of the Mr. Biden’s announcement Sunday that he’s been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer.
In an image Mr. Biden posted, he is seated next to his wife, former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and their cat, Willow.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” the former president, 82, said in the post. View here
East Wing Magazine
Melania Trump to Join the President at Take It Down Act Signing Ceremony
May 17, 2025 — Melania Trump will join her husband, President Donald Trump, Monday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden to sign the Take It Down Act, legislation aligned with her Be Best initiative that will criminalize the publication of nonconsensual sexually explicit images and require technology companies to quickly remove them from their platforms. Read more
East Wing Magazine
First Ladies: ‘The Original Influencers’
May 17, 2025 — At the outset of a panel discussion at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center on Friday, it was historically understood that first ladies of the United States presidency indisputably wield power. But as the discussion weaved from the distant past to the present, questions about how their impact on the presidency should be examined led to this constant: Women’s perspectives and who writes that history matters. Read more