First Lady Visits Young Patients at NIH Children's Inn

Melania Trump returns for fourth visit, promotes child wellness through Be Best campaign

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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First Lady Melania Trump visited the National Institute for Health's Children's Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, where she met with a group of young patients and former patients to mark Valentine's Day. The visit was part of her Be Best campaign, which promotes child wellness. Trump spent time visiting with the patients, answering their questions, and creating Valentine's crafts together.

Why it matters

The First Lady's visits to the Children's Inn highlight the important support and resources the nonprofit provides to children and families dealing with rare and serious illnesses. Her involvement helps raise awareness and support for the organization's mission to reduce the burden of illness, make childhood possible, and advance medical research.

The details

This was Melania Trump's fourth visit to the Children's Inn since 2018. During the visit, she was seated with a previous patient she had met on a prior visit. While she didn't make any formal remarks, Trump spent nearly an hour conversing informally with the patients and their families, answering questions about her favorite sport, music, and whether she is a queen.

  • Melania Trump first visited the Children's Inn in 2018.
  • She returned for additional visits in 2019 and 2020.
  • The latest visit took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States, who has visited the Children's Inn at NIH multiple times as part of her Be Best campaign to promote child wellness.

The Children's Inn at NIH

A nonprofit organization that provides free residential accommodations and support services to children and families participating in clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health.

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What they’re saying

“Love reveals itself in many forms, especially in the hardest moments of care and compassion. The Children's Inn provides important support to children who have been diagnosed with rare and serious diseases. Returning to The Children's Inn at NIH is a special reminder of warmth that exists here year-round thanks to the profound resilience of these young people and the dedication of those working to provide comfort, hope, and support during clinical trials.”

— Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States (Press Release from the First Lady's Office)

The takeaway

The First Lady's continued visits to the Children's Inn at NIH demonstrate her commitment to supporting children's health and wellness through her Be Best initiative. Her interactions with the young patients and their families help raise awareness and support for the important work done at the Children's Inn to provide a 'home away from home' for families dealing with serious illnesses.