President Donald Trump promised First Lady Melania a private birthday celebration after a solemn day at the funeral of Pope Francis, where the Trumps commanded attention — and delivered a cold-shouldered snub to France’s first couple.
At St. Peter’s Square, among world leaders and dignitaries, Trump and Melania were seated front and center. According to renowned lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling, President Trump whispered to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, “It’s her birthday and we are going to celebrate later, this evening, tonight,” after asking Melania if he should share the news. She smiled and gave him a nod.
Stubb immediately wished Melania a happy birthday, to which she responded graciously. But the warm moment didn’t last long.
As French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, approached, Melania sharply turned her body away — a move presentation expert Caroline Goyder said was “absolutely intentional.” Donald Trump quickly mirrored his wife’s body language, avoiding the French leader altogether.
Their frosty exchange wasn’t accidental. Melania and Brigitte Macron have had a strained relationship for years. In 2018, Brigitte publicly commented to Le Monde that while Melania was “fun,” she pitied her for living a “constrained” life in the White House, contrasting it with her own freedoms in Paris. The Trumps, it seems, have long memories.
Earlier during the funeral, President Trump was seen shaking hands with Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer — but it was his huddle with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that drew the most attention. It marked the first time the two spoke face-to-face since their notorious clash at the White House years ago.
The funeral itself was a powerful ceremony. Pope Francis, who passed away at 88, chose a humble resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, near an icon of the Madonna that he loved deeply. Vatican officials said the choice reflected his lifelong devotion to humility and simplicity.
For President Trump, the trip was about more than honoring a religious leader. He also spent Melania’s birthday working behind the scenes to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Speaking aboard Air Force One as he returned to the U.S., Trump expressed doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin truly wanted peace. His comments marked a dramatic shift from just a day earlier, when Trump had said Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal.”
“There’s no reason for Putin to be firing missiles into cities and towns,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to end the war. He’s just stringing me along.”
Trump suggested new pressure tactics could be on the table: “Banking restrictions? Secondary sanctions? Too many innocent people are dying!!!”
The day was a study in contrasts — honoring the passing of a pope, navigating the icy politics of European allies, and confronting global war — all while making sure America’s First Lady got the birthday celebration she deserved.
Discover more from Red News Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Europe is inhabited by such arrogant a-holes with no basis for their arrogance. The United States saved France’s butt in two separate world Wars yet beginning with Degaulle they have no gratitude for being saved from becoming a Nazi German state and their arrogance is absolutely revolting.
“He’s just stringing me along.” Glad he finally figured that out. Hopefully he will do something about it.