Trump Praises Melania at White House Picnic, Suggests Future Role

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the annual White House Congressional Picnic, where Trump thanked Melania, referring to her as "our wonderful first lady" and joking she might one day take over his role. Melania, dressed in a white blouse and floral trousers, maintained her usual reserved demeanor during the event and smiled quietly at Trump's remarks. The gathering included members of Congress, with Trump humorously noting that some senators had "snuck in" despite prior tensions, particularly with Senator Rand Paul over budget and military parade issues. Earlier in the week, the couple attended the premiere of 'Les Misérables' at the Kennedy Center, where they were met with jeers and protests from some cast members due to Trump's controversial push for changes in the arts community. Melania has supported bipartisan legislation against non-consensual deepfake explicit imagery and has expressed concerns about AI and social media’s impact on younger generations. This series of appearances marks one of Trump's first public engagements since his 2025 reelection amid ongoing political and cultural tensions.