Melania Trump's Inaugural Gown to Join Smithsonian Exhibit

The former first lady's 2025 inauguration dress will be displayed at the National Museum of American History.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Melania Trump will donate the white Hervé Pierre-designed gown she wore to her husband Donald Trump's second inauguration in 2025 to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's First Ladies Gallery. The gown will join the museum's collection of over two dozen dresses worn by former first ladies, including Frances Cleveland, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Michelle Obama.

Why it matters

The donation of a first lady's inaugural gown to the Smithsonian is a long-standing tradition that preserves an important part of American history and culture. Melania Trump's gown will become part of an exhibit that highlights the roles and contributions of former first ladies.

The details

The recent documentary film "Melania" showed the former first lady's process for selecting and fitting the gown she wore to her husband's second inauguration in 2025. Melania Trump's gown will be the second of hers to go on display in the Smithsonian's First Ladies Gallery, which the first lady's official account described as "a rare distinction held by only a few First Ladies in history."

  • Melania Trump wore the gown to Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20, 2025.
  • The gown will now go on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's First Ladies Gallery.

The players

Melania Trump

The former first lady of the United States, who will be donating the white Hervé Pierre-designed gown she wore to her husband Donald Trump's second inauguration in 2025 to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Hervé Pierre

The designer who created the white gown worn by Melania Trump to her husband's second inauguration in 2025.

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

The museum that will be displaying Melania Trump's 2025 inaugural gown in its First Ladies Gallery, which features dresses worn by over two dozen former first ladies.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose second inauguration in 2025 is when Melania Trump wore the gown that is now being donated to the Smithsonian.

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What they’re saying

“I must tell you that it can be a daunting task to choose an outfit that will be [memorialized] and become a part of our nation's story and forever history.”

— Melania Trump, Former First Lady (The Hill)

The takeaway

Melania Trump's donation of her 2025 inaugural gown to the Smithsonian continues a long-standing tradition that preserves an important part of American history and culture, showcasing the roles and contributions of former first ladies.