Melania Trump made a surprise visit to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. on Thursday morning. It’s a tradition for First Ladies, but she’s been doing it her own way for years.
She wore a black-and-white polka dot blouse and a cream skirt, looking calm and put together. What stood out were her cream Roger Vivier ballet flats with silver buckles, which cost almost $900.
She sat with young patients and their families making Fourth of July crafts and painting rocks. At one point someone asked if she played golf and she smiled and said: “No, I don’t play golf,” which made the room laugh.
Melania handed out red, white, and blue teddy bears with little American flags. She also invited the kids to come to next year’s 250th Independence Day celebration at the White House, saying it would have fireworks and a flyover.
She took a walk through the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden with the hospital’s president. People said her visit seemed to lift the mood of everyone around her.
Other First Ladies like Michelle Obama and Laura Bush also visited the hospital, but this has always seemed personal for Melania. In her farewell message in 2021, she said: “Even as they fight difficult illnesses or face challenges, [the children] bring such a joy to everyone they meet.”
After the hospital visit, she was scheduled to meet a recently freed Israeli-American hostage named Edan Alexander alongside President Trump. He had been held captive by Hamas for 584 days.
The couple plans to host a military picnic and fireworks event Friday at the White House. It’s another part of the holiday weekend and another chance for Melania to show up quietly but meaningfully.