Melania Trump is urging mothers to prioritize their well-being, calling the birth of a child a “life-changing event that makes women invincible and exposed at the same time,” during a rare public appearance at the White House.
“It’s remarkable, really, that my son’s life creates unimaginable, unpredictable concerns and trials for me even until this day,” the first lady said Thursday at a Mother’s Day reception aimed at recognizing military moms. Trump hosted similar Mother’s Day events throughout her husband’s first term in office.
“All caring mothers understand this rare feeling — nothing against fathers — but in my opinion, and I’m sure everyone in this room agrees, only a mother can grasp this particular point,” the 55-year-old former model quipped to the audience as President Trump looked on in the East Room.
Military mothers, Melania Trump said, have “developed an extraordinary parallel journey — they are filled with stories of personal sacrifice, determination, loss and healing.”
“I urge you to prioritize your well-being. Nurture yourself, for your strength is the bedrock of a brighter future for our children. By caring for ourselves, we empower the next generation to thrive together,” the mother of 19-year-old Barron Trump said.
In remarks at the event — also attended by Vice President Vance and second lady Usha Vance — the president praised his wife, saying, “I especially want to thank one of the best moms that I know, that I’ve ever seen. Sometimes she’s almost too good.”
“She is so good with Barron. He’s grown up strong and nice, and he’s a good boy,” Trump said of his youngest son, a student at New York University.
“You’ve done a great job,” he told the first lady.
The president spoke just moments before white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected.
Asked for his reaction to the news that a new pope had been chosen to replace the late Pope Francis, Trump responded with a grin, “Seen the smoke, but I haven’t seen the pope.”
Melania Trump has kept a relatively low profile since the beginning of her husband’s second term, making limited appearances in Washington. The “Melania” author said in January ahead of Trump’s inauguration that she would “be in the White House” but would split her time in other cities where the couple has residences.
“And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach. But my first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife,” she said at the time.
At the pre-Mother’s Day gathering, the president saluted the military moms “on behalf of every single American,” saying they had “made extraordinary sacrifices for family and country.”
The commander in chief also lauded his own mom.
“I had a great mother,” he said of Mary Anne Trump, who died in 2000 at 88.
“She was such an angel,” he said to the crowd, filled with administration officials, lawmakers, and military families.
“Could be very tough, I will say. She had her tough moments, some difficult moments,” Trump continued.
“But overall, very, very good. I had a great one.”
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