‘Melania works so hard’: Trump praises wife at White House women’s health initiative event

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump praised first lady Melania Trump for her work on a new women's health initiative before turning his attention to White House renovations during a Rose Garden signing ceremony.

The event, held on Monday, October 19, focused on expanding women's health research and treatment, but Trump also spoke at length about the garden's stone paving, oversized yellow cushions and plans for a White House ballroom.

“Melania works so hard,” Trump said, acknowledging his wife's efforts to advance the initiative. He later returned to the topic, praising her for encouraging him to sign the executive order.

Trump praises Melania before Rose Garden renovation remarks

Trump soon shifted the conversation to the renovated Rose Garden, expressing admiration for its stone paving. He said the previous grass lawn often became soggy, leaving mud stains on women's shoes during events.

The president also highlighted the garden's yellow seat cushions, explaining that he had requested a much thicker design.

“Those beautiful yellow cushions,” he remarked before describing his request to increase their height.

“They’re supposed to be half an inch high. I said, ‘How about four inches?’ Don’t they feel nice? They don’t make them in four inches.”

Trump claimed the larger cushions would make seating more comfortable and raise guests higher.

He also discussed a new helicopter landing area and provided an update on his planned White House ballroom before returning to the women's health initiative.

Melania Trump launches women's health research initiative

The main purpose of the ceremony was to announce an executive order aimed at expanding research and treatment for women's health conditions. The initiative establishes a women's health division at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and creates a White House task force focused on research.

Melania's five-part agenda includes research funding, technological advances and efforts to make treatment more affordable and accessible.

She also called for better treatment options for conditions that disproportionately affect women, including infertility and menopause.

In her opening remarks, Melania highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to improve women's health.

“Previous generations fought for women's rights,” she said, adding that “our generation will fight to discover cures that will ensure a woman can lead her life in health and to the fullest.”

Trump said he had been surprised to learn that the government did not already have a women's health division.

However, the NIH already has an Office of Research on Women's Health. The announcement also comes after Trump rolled back an almost identical project initiated by former President Joe Biden.

During the ceremony, Trump said his administration would work to ensure women receive “the care that they need and deserve.” He also said the initiative would support research and technology to help diagnose conditions earlier.

“When I heard about it, I said, 'Are you sure they don't have that?'” Trump said. “They don't have a women's health division?”

Susie Wiles and RFK Jr lead women's health initiative

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr have been tasked with leading the new effort.

Second lady Usha Vance and Cheryl Hines, Kennedy's wife, also attended the signing ceremony.

Trump congratulated Wiles during the event after she announced last month that she was cancer-free.

She had previously revealed an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis in March.