Melania Trump Donates Inaugural Gown to Smithsonian

Former First Lady speaks at museum ceremony honoring her 2025 inaugural ball dress.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 11:15am

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Former First Lady Melania Trump delivered remarks at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on February 20, 2026, following the presentation of her 2025 inaugural ball gown to the museum's collection.

Why it matters

The donation of Melania Trump's inaugural gown continues a long-standing tradition of First Ladies gifting their inaugural dresses to the Smithsonian, preserving an important part of American history and culture.

The details

Melania Trump's 2025 inaugural ball gown, designed by American fashion label Hervé Pierre, featured a sleek, form-fitting silhouette and was crafted from layers of white chiffon. The gown will now be part of the museum's First Ladies Collection, which includes dresses and other artifacts from the inaugurations of past presidents.

  • Melania Trump delivered remarks at 11 a.m. ET on February 20, 2026.

The players

Melania Trump

Former First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2025.

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

A museum in Washington, D.C. that collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, and military history.

Hervé Pierre

The American fashion designer who created Melania Trump's 2025 inaugural ball gown.

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What they’re saying

“I am honored to donate my inaugural gown to the Smithsonian's collection so that our nation's history and heritage can be preserved and shared with all Americans.”

— Melania Trump, Former First Lady

The takeaway

Melania Trump's donation of her inaugural gown continues a long-standing tradition that allows the Smithsonian to showcase the evolving styles and cultural significance of inaugural fashion over time, providing insight into the history and symbolism of the presidential inauguration.