First Lady Melania Trump Visits Children with Rare Diseases for Valentine's Day

11-Year-Old Girl Brings Bouquet of Roses as Melania Spreads Joy at The Children's Inn

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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First Lady Melania Trump visited children with rare and serious diseases at The Children's Inn at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland for Valentine's Day. An 11-year-old girl brought Melania a bouquet of roses as she arrived, and the First Lady chatted with the children as they did Valentine's Day-themed arts and crafts. Melania expressed her love for Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" when asked about her favorite music.

Why it matters

The First Lady's visit to The Children's Inn, a facility that provides support to children undergoing clinical trials for rare diseases, highlights her commitment to bringing joy and comfort to those facing serious health challenges. Her annual Valentine's Day visits to the center are seen as an important gesture of compassion for the vulnerable youth and families served by the organization.

The details

During her visit, Melania Trump expressed the importance of the care and support provided by The Children's Inn, saying "Love reveals itself in many forms, especially in the hardest moments of care and compassion." The First Lady also participated in Valentine's Day-themed activities with the children and answered questions, including sharing her love for the Michael Jackson song "Billie Jean."

  • First Lady Melania Trump visited The Children's Inn at the NIH on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 for Valentine's Day.

The players

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States, known for her annual Valentine's Day visits to The Children's Inn to bring joy and comfort to children with rare diseases.

Jennie Lucca

The Chief Executive Officer of The Children's Inn, who welcomed the First Lady and expressed gratitude for her visit and the support it provides to the children and families served by the organization.

An 11-year-old girl

A young patient at The Children's Inn who brought First Lady Melania Trump a bouquet of roses upon her arrival.

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What they’re saying

“Love reveals itself in many forms, especially in the hardest moments of care and compassion.”

— Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States (White House)

“We were deeply honored to welcome First Lady Melania Trump back to The Children's Inn. Her visit brought joy and comfort to our children and families at a time when compassion and encouragement mean so much. This Valentine's Day celebration served as a heartfelt reminder that our families are surrounded by care, support, and hope throughout their medical journey.”

— Jennie Lucca, Chief Executive Officer of The Children's Inn (White House)

What’s next

The First Lady is expected to continue her annual tradition of visiting The Children's Inn at the NIH for Valentine's Day in the coming years, bringing joy and support to the children and families served by the organization.

The takeaway

Melania Trump's visit to The Children's Inn highlights her commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families, and the power of compassion and care to uplift those facing serious health challenges. The First Lady's annual Valentine's Day visits are seen as an important gesture that brings comfort and hope to the children and families served by the organization.