Trumps Celebrate 249th Independence Day
The White House Fourth of July festivities coincide with the signing of the president’s contentious “big” bill.
First Lady Melania Trump joined her husband for a traditional Independence Day celebration at the White House Friday. The festivities took place the same day the president signed into law a sweeping and contentious domestic policy bill estimated to swell the national debt by trillions and includes massive tax cuts while slashing funding to government programs like Medicaid and food assistance.
The bill signing ceremony took place on the South Lawn of the White House and, at one point, featured a B2 bomber flyover. Prior to a spectacular fireworks display on the National Mall, Mrs. Trump and her husband greeted active-duty military members on the South Lawn.
The Weekly Wrap
The Weekly Wrap is a collection of headlines from the past week. Some publications have paywalls.
Vogue
Melania Trump’s Fourth of July Look Features a Very Melania Detail
July 5, 2025 — Melania Trump’s second term as First Lady of the United States has seen her not just return to, but augment the FLOTUS aesthetic she conceived during President Trump’s first time around. Her styling has doubled down on homegrown American designs, whereas her first term as FLOTUS focused on her favorite European designers. Read more
East Wing Magazine
Melania Trump Visits Patients at Children’s Hospital
July 3, 2025 — Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday paid a visit to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she bore gifts and joined a small group of sick children for coloring and crafts as part of a planned “Be Best” initiative event. Read more
Bloomberg
Michelle Obama Is Quitting Politics. Or Is She?
July 2, 2025 — The former first lady says she’s done being a Democratic Party spokesperson and will focus on her podcast. Because podcasters don’t influence elections at all. This story is behind a paywall
East Wing Magazine
Tudor Place ‘Ancestral Spaces’ Wins Award of Excellence
June 30, 2025 — The home of Martha Washington’s descendants, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden in Washington, D.C., is a recipient of the Award of Excellence for the groundbreaking installation and guided tour, Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent at Tudor Place, the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced last month. Read more
The Grio
Michelle Obama Shares the Three Words Her Dying Mother Said That Changed Her Outlook on Life
June 29, 2025 — Michelle Obama tearfully shared three words her dying mother said that have changed the way she looks at life. Read more
Futurism
Melania Trump’s Audiobook Is Narrated by an AI Copy of Herself
June 29, 2025 — To roll out the nearly seven-hour audiobook, Melania Trump partnered with ElevenLabs, a text-to-speech software company that sells "voice AI" services. Read more
USA Today
Michelle Obama Won’t Run For Office, But Her Podcast May Guide Democrats
June 28, 2025 — As Democrats search for a liberal counter to the right-wing media ecosystem that helped Trump win back the White House by reaching millions who don't pay attention to mainstream media, Michelle Obama’s online show of a relatable and popular Democrat could be what they are looking for. Read more