Trump thanks his ‘great wife’ at WH ball after Melania announces 2026 legislative initiative
.@POTUS delivers remarks at the Congressional Ball: None of what we do would be possible without you, and I want to thank my great wife, my great @FLOTUS for helping me... I want to also thank our really wonderful, great @VP, who's here, and @SLOTUS. pic.twitter.com/FZiVembWzJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 12, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: The first lady, Melania Trump, during the Congressional Ball, offered a short set of remarks highlighting her work on the ‘Take it Down Act’, a law tied to her 'Be Best' initiative that targets non-consensual sharing of deepfakes and intimate images.
Her remarks hinted at a new project while the president offered gratitude to his wife.
Melania Trump announces her new initiative
On Thursday, December 11, the first lady gave characteristically brief remarks at the Congressional Ball, during which she thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson for helping pass the 'Take It Down Act' earlier this year as part of her Be Best initiative.
The law criminalizes the distribution of “deepfake” images as well as unaltered intimate images without the subject’s consent.
Melania began by saying, “I hope you would be excited to support my new legislative initiative, it's an initiative in 2026.”
She went on to say, “Some of you might already know of it, because it's already in the works.”
She ended by saying, “Thank you very much. I wish you and your family a very happy Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.”
Donald Trump admits he's unaware of the initiative
First Lady Melania Trump teases 2026 legislative initiative, with President Trump chiming in, saying, “I don't know what it is she's doing, but I know it's going to be great for children." pic.twitter.com/oVmrual2ST
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 12, 2025
President Donald Trump, retaking the podium, didn’t appear to have much inside knowledge.
He said, “Well, I just heard about that for the first time. The only thing I can tell you, I know one thing for sure.” He continued, “Mr Speaker, 'It’s going to be great for children, okay?"
"I don’t know what it is she’s doing, but I know it’s going to be great for children, because she loves children, and...she’s got a wonderful boy, and she’s very proud of her boy,” Trump continued, referencing their 19-year-old son, Barron Trump.
Donald Trump closes with a thanks to Melania
Trump went on to say, “None of what we do would be possible without you.” He continued, “I want to thank my great wife, my great first lady, for helping me.”
He went on to say, “But every single one of you has been helpful,” which received applause from the crowd.
He concluded by saying, “I want to also thank our really wonderful, great Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, thank you very much, Usha.”
