Overview

• During his July 3 Des Moines address, Trump disclosed that he calls Melania “First Lady” and greets her as “my darling.”
• The revelation came hours after Congress passed the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ which he cited to underscore his administration’s legislative success.
• He integrated the personal detail into a Salute to America speech that combined military recruitment appeals with Fourth of July celebrations.
• First Lady Melania Trump has maintained a low public profile since January, most recently visiting young patients at Children’s National Hospital.
• Persistent media attention and biographer Michael Wolff’s claim of an effective separation continue to raise questions about the state of their marriage.