Her husband described it as “out of control”, “everything that was discussed was about how horrible our country was, how bad slavery was, how incomplete the oppressed were”.
But Melania Trump, the wife of US President Donald Trump, on Friday announced a temporary ceasefire in hostilities with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington – with the help of a silk gown, a diamond brooch and a headless doll.
Melania arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to present her 2025 inaugural gown, which topped Mary Lincoln’s purple velvet ensemble, Jacqueline Kennedy’s state dinner dress and Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown among first ladies’ collections.
In contrast to her husband’s recent outbursts against the world’s largest museum complex — “woke and broken,” he wrote on social media last August — Melania opened her remarks with a pointed statement: “The Smithsonian Museum is an important cultural jewel.”
But she couldn’t resist a plug for the critically panned documentary Melania, for which Jeff Bezos’ Amazon paid $40m. “Personally, I enjoy the whole design process from start to finish,” she said, standing on stage next to the inaugural gown displayed on a mannequin. “It takes time, it’s slow, but the end result is always amazing. If you’ve had a chance to see my new film Melania, you know exactly what it took to bring this technical marvel to life.”
At the inaugural ball in January 2025, Melania wore an off-white silk crepe gown with a slit skirt, trimmed with two bands of black silk sash. The gown was paired with a 1955 Harry Winston diamond brooch, worn over a ribbon choker. A reproduction of the brooch is now on display in the museum.
Making a gravity-defying gown with designer Hervé Pierre is featured prominently in the documentary Melania, and the Slovenian-born former model has a long-standing interest in fashion design.
On Friday, she wore a Bottega Veneta oversized black jacket, black skinny pants and black Christian Louboutin snake boots.
Standing in front of a gallery that features an original star-spangled banner, Melania philosophically observes: “Human nature is the discipline of detail. Everything is detailed. It’s not clothing. It’s more than 50 years of education, experience and knowledge absorbed into every thread, every stitch, every sharp edge.”
She continued: “This dress speaks to a unique point of view – a modern silhouette, bold and dignified, and ruthlessly chic … The human condition is captured in every stitch – enduring mediocrity and rising above – reaching the highest – America’s destiny.
“This black-and-white masterpiece showcases America’s pure originality, superior engineering and limitless creativity. It’s a testament to why America’s fashion industry can lead the world.”
Established in 1912, the First Ladies’ Collection remains one of the Smithsonian’s most popular exhibits, with approximately 1,000 items ranging from inaugural gowns and other clothing to personal effects and White House ephemera.
Melania is the first first lady to donate an inaugural gown for a second time, and the second first lady in history to have two inaugural ball gowns represented in the collection — the last being Ida McKinley in 1897 and 1901.
The Smithsonian, which runs 21 museums and a zoo, is under pressure from Trump to remove “divisive narratives” from its exhibits. Last month, the White House released documents on its planned exhibits in response to demands to share precise details of what its museums and other programs are doing for America’s 250th birthday. It’s not clear whether the White House is satisfied.
Friday’s presentation ceremony included diplomatic remarks from Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch and museum director Anthea Hartig.
Bunch said: “Each First Lady has left her mark not just on the White House, but on the nation. Each First Lady reflects her time in office. In essence, every gown we own is a window on America.”
He said: “I’m very excited to have Mrs. Trump’s second inaugural gown join the collection, and I can’t understate how important it is that it’s truly a landmark in its own right. She’s the first first lady in over a hundred years to have two inaugural gowns displayed and represented at this museum. It’s very important to us.”
Hartig told Melania: “You’re participating in a beautiful river of tradition that’s over a century old. We’ll take care of this dress and the beautiful brooch and the beautiful ribbon as long as the Smithsonian exists. As we like to say, we’re in business forever.”“
