Melania Trump may have become accustomed to a life draped in couture, diamonds, and White House dinners – but when it comes to birthday gifts from her famously unpredictable husband, the results have ranged from lackluster to downright bizarre.
From skipping the present altogether to turning her special day into a campaign stunt, Donald Trump’s gifts to his wife have often been somewhat unconventional.
This year, Trump told reporters he and Melania will be dining on Air Force One for her birthday to ring in her 55th birthday.
‘I’ll take her for dinner on the Boeing. I’ll take her for dinner on Air Force One,’ he told reporters while traveling aboard the presidential aircraft en route to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.
Melania’s birthday falls on the same day leaders and clergy from around the world will mark the passing of Pope Francis at his funeral service at the Vatican.
Trump and the first lady are set to attend the funeral service Saturday morning and then fly back to New Jersey.
Given the tight turnaround and the circumstances, an elegant Roman meal for two doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
From skipping the present altogether to turning her special day into a campaign stunt, Donald Trump’s gifts to his wife have been somewhat unconventional
‘She’s going to have a great birthday. She’s got a working birthday,’ Trump said.
‘Haven’t had much time to buy presents. Things are working out for us. People are starting to understand how good tariffs are for us.’
Here, DailyMail.com has rounded up some of the most shocking gifts President Trump has given his wife since he stepped into the political spotlight.
2018: ‘Birthday shoutout’
For her 48th birthday on April 26, the president called into Fox & Friends to give his wife a bizarre shout-out.
‘I picked a very, very special day because it’s Melania’s birthday. So I said, ‘Let’s do it on Melania’s birthday.’ So happy birthday to Melania,’ he said at the start of the interview.
When asked about what he got Melania for his birthday, he said: ‘Well, I better not get into that because I may get in trouble.
‘Maybe I didn’t get her so much.
‘I tell you what… I got her a beautiful card.
As she rings in her 55th birthday, DailyMail.com has rounded up some of the most shocking gifts President Trump has given his wife since he stepped into the political spotlight
For her 48th birthday on April 26, the president called into Fox & Friends and gave his wife a shout-out. He also paid tribute to Melania, calling her his ‘rock’ and ‘foundation,’ in an email asking supporters to celebrate her birthday and donate to his campaign
‘I’m very busy to be running out looking for presents. I got her a beautiful card, beautiful flowers.’
He also paid tribute to Melania, calling her his ‘rock’ and ‘foundation,’ in an email asking supporters to celebrate her birthday and donate to his campaign.
In the email, he wrote: ‘Family is one of life’s most wonderful pleasures, and serving as America’s First Family has been a truly great privilege! This month, our family is looking forward to a very special day.
‘Please join us in celebrating the First Lady and my beautiful, kind-hearted, and exceptional wife Melania’s birthday by signing her card.
‘Melania is my rock and foundation, and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without her by my side.
‘She’s the cornerstone of our family, and an incredible mother to our son, Barron. I’m so proud of her accomplishments, and I hope you’ll wish her well on her special day.’
2019: Now-viral tweet and digital card
On her 49th birthday, Melania became the butt of jokes after the White House chose an awkward picture of her to post on her birthday
In the lead up to her birthday, Trump’s Facebook page alsp released about 3,300 ads to encourage people to sign her digital birthday card
On her 49th birthday, Melania became the butt of jokes after the White House chose an awkward picture of her to post on her birthday.
The White House tweeted a picture of Melania seated by herself in the Oval Office during Trump’s meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
In the image, Melania sat at the far end of the couch in a green double-breasted coat. Her legs were crossed, and she was staring off into the distance, away from her husband.
To add insult to injury, the photographers who surround her are focused on the president and prime minister — not her.
Users on X, formerly Twitter, quickly made the awkward picture into a slew of memes.
In the lead-up to Melania’s birthday, Trump’s Facebook page also released about 3,300 ads to encourage people to sign her digital birthday card.
‘Attention Ladies in Richmond Heights,’ read one ad that targeted female users in a town in Missouri, per Vice.
‘Our FANTASTIC First Lady Melania’s birthday is in three days, and I want to do something special for her.’
The First Lady spent the evening of her 49th birthday at a private dinner with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and his wife Akie Abe in the White House, per Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s communications director.
2020: Surprise birthday card signed by ‘one million’ Americans
President Trump wished wife Melania a happy 50th birthday via Twitter
Trump wished Melania a happy 50th birthday via Twitter in 2020.
‘Happy Birthday to Melania, our great First Lady!’ Trump wrote on X.
The Trump family celebrated Melania’s golden jubilee birthday in a quiet fashion at the White House as it was during the COVID-19 lockdowns, according to her chief of staff Stephanie Grisham.
An email was also sent out from a fundraising committee including of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. and the Republican National Committee,’ per The Atlantic.
‘I have exciting news to share, but you have to keep it a secret,’ the email began.
‘Melania does so much for our Nation and I want to make sure she knows just how much she means to us.
‘I want to surprise her with a birthday card signed by 1 MILLION Americans from all around the Country.’
2021: Yet another digital card and donation
In 2021, Republican supporters were sent several emails and texts asking them to sign Melania’s digital birthday card
In 2021, Republican supporters were sent several emails and texts asking them to sign Melania’s digital birthday card.
‘We know how much the First Lady means to YOU so we’re going to give you ONE MORE chance to sign her card, but you must ACT FAST!’ the email read, according to The Times.
After signing, supporters were taken to another page that encouraged them to make a donation toward the party.
The $100 option was pre-ticked for anyone who was unsure about how much to give.
‘We are working hard to defend the Trump Legacy from Biden and the Radical Left, but we need you to join us!’ the page read, alongside a picture of Melania.
‘We only need a few more donations today to stay on track — will you quickly step up and help close the gap?’
2024: Birthday wishes from trial
A few years later, Trump sent long-distance birthday wishes to Melania at the start of Day 8 of his Stormy Daniels trial in 2024
A few years later, Trump sent long-distance birthday wishes to Melania at the start of Day 8 of his Stormy Daniels trial in 2024.
‘I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday,’ Trump said inside Manhattan criminal court on her birthday last year.
‘Would be nice to be with her, but I’m at a courthouse for a rigged trial.
‘But we’re doing very well in this rigged trial. Everybody knows it. Yesterday was a big day.
‘But I do have to begin by wishing Melania happy birthday. She’s in Florida.’