WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump And Usha Vance embarked on their first trip together Wednesday to spend time with North Carolina military personnel and their families in appreciation for their service and sacrifice as the holidays approach.
President's wives Donald Trump and vice president JD Vanceformer Marine, was scheduled to visit with service members Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, and Marine Corps Air Station New River.
The day includes joint appearances with military-connected students and both women speaking to a gathering of service members and their families, according to Trump's office.
In her remarks, the first lady was expected to celebrate 250 years of service to the Marine Corps, express gratitude to Marines and military families, especially during the holiday season, and highlight the importance of families in supporting the U.S. military.
She was also expected to highlight another issue that she has been paying particular attention to lately: the rapid development of technology, including artificial intelligence.
Both women hit the road the morning after attending the first White House dinner of the second Trump administration, a formal event planned by the first lady in honor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
They have appeared together at other public events, most notably at their husbands' inauguration at the Capitol in January. Other joint appearances occurred at a White House event honoring military mothers and a Senate Spouses Luncheon, both in May; premiere of the play “Les Miserables” at the Kennedy Center in June; and signing by the President last week decree on assistance to adopted children. The order was made in support of the First Lady's Educating the Future program, part of her Be Best initiative focused on children.
Melania Trump has focused her work on children since launching Be the best during her husband's first term to focus on their well-being, online safety and opioid abuse.
Last month she announced that eight children displaced as a result Russian-Ukrainian war was reunited with their families following negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this year, the first lady helped Congress pass the legislation. introducing federal penalties for online sexual exploitationoften targeting young girls. Her husband signed the legislation into law in May.
Usha Vance, a former lawyer, launched the Summer Reading Challenge to encourage students in kindergarten through eighth grade to read 12 books during the school holidays. Those who completed the task were promised certificates and prizes.
The second lady often accompanies the vice president on his trips, and sometimes takes her three small children with her.
