Donald Trump in 'terrible' Melania admission after pet name slip up

 

During a recent campaign stop in Iowa, former President Donald Trump spoke candidly about a nickname he uses for his wife, Melania Trump. Referring to her as “First Lady,” he admitted that he considers the pet name “a little terrible,” but continues to use it as a personal reminder of his time in the White House. “I say, ‘Good night, First Lady, my darling,’ because it reminds me I’m president,” Trump shared during his speech. He added, “First Lady, it’s terrible nobody wants to join our military force,” referring to what he sees as declining interest in military service.

Trump’s remarks came just hours after Congress approved what he has dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” The sweeping legislation includes significant tax reforms—permanently locking in the 2017 tax cuts—as well as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay. Additionally, it expands defense spending and border enforcement while making substantial cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The bill passed after intense closed-door negotiations and internal friction within the Republican Party. Democratic lawmakers, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, voiced strong opposition, with Jeffries delivering a record-setting speech on the House floor denouncing the measure for disproportionately favoring the wealthy.

While Trump remains highly visible on the campaign trail, Melania Trump has kept a relatively quiet public profile since returning to the White House in January. However, she recently made a rare public appearance at the reopening of the Kennedy Center and visited the Children’s National Hospital in Washington. Reports from the hospital visit suggest she connected warmly with young patients, discussing mutual admiration for pop artists like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter—an interaction that stood in stark contrast to the former president’s historically critical stance toward Swift.

Trump’s Iowa speech, delivered under the banner of a “Salute to America” event, was timed with the lead-up to the nation’s 249th Independence Day celebrations. In it, he framed the legislative win as a pivotal moment for the country. “There can be no better birthday present for America,” he declared, “than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago when Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill to make America great again.”

Though hailed by Republicans as a win for conservative priorities, the bill’s sharp reductions in federal support for healthcare and nutrition assistance have drawn fierce criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups. They argue the legislation would deepen inequality by shifting financial burdens onto low-income Americans while delivering windfalls to corporations and high earners.