Trump jokes he ‘hates’ following Melania as it makes him look ‘not so great’

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump’s tendency to turn even routine appearances with First Lady Melania Trump into eyebrow-raising moments appears to be alive and well.

The 79-year-old President, on Tuesday, May 19, claimed that he ‘hates’ following Melania as the couple hosted members of Congress for the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House.

Melania started the evening's proceedings by revealing that the House had approved the Fostering the Future Act, a bill that aims to assist children in foster care and enhance prospects for young people making the transition into adulthood.

"I have breaking news. Today, the House passed the Fostering the Future Act," Melania informed the gathering, sparking applause from those present below the White House balcony.

Trump says following Melania makes him look ‘not so great'

After thanking Democrats and Republicans for coming together to pass the bill, the 56-year-old First Lady went on to invite her husband to the podium.

“Make the most of this evening so that we can be impactful together with greater alignment in the future. And now it is my pleasure to introduce my husband, President Donald J Trump,” she said.

The couple shared a brief kiss before the President stepped up to the microphone and praised his wife’s speech.

“Thank you. Good job, baby. Good job. What a great job. I have to follow that. I hate it,” Trump noted.

Trump then went on to joke that he “never” likes speaking after the “great first lady” because it makes him look “not so good” in comparison.

He then went on to praise her new movie, saying, “We're truly blessed to have such a first lady. She's been uh so popular. She did a movie. It became number one.”

“She then went to streaming. It became number one. And uh, I say there's only room, remember this, for one star in a family. So I'd better get rid of that. That's not so good. But uh, she's been amazing, and people love her,” he continued.

Trump jokes about his marriage not lasting

The comment became the latest chapter in Trump’s long-running streak of unintentionally uncomfortable exchanges alongside Melania.

Previously, the President joked that his marriage with first lady Melania Trump would not last as long as his parents' marriage.

Trump was addressing a crowd at the White House during a daylong visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, when he recalled his mother had a crush on King Charles, and then went on to admire his parents' long marriage.

"They were married for 63 years. Excuse me, if you don't mind," President Trump said, turning to look at the first lady seated just behind him. "That’s a record we won’t be able to match, darling. I’m sorry, just not going to work out that way. We’ll do well, but we’re not going to do that well."