Melania Trump Donates 2025 Inaugural Gown to Smithsonian

First Lady Melania Trump has donated her inaugural gown from President Donald Trump's January 20, 2025, inauguration to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, marking the second such garment of hers to join the institution's collection. The white strapless dress, designed by Hervé Pierre and featuring black silk trim, was worn during the Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., where the Trumps danced to Frank Sinatra's "My Way."

This donation continues a longstanding tradition among first ladies, who have contributed their inaugural attire to the museum's First Ladies Gallery since the early 20th century. The exhibit, which houses more than two dozen gowns from figures including Frances Cleveland, Lou Hoover, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama, highlights the cultural and historical significance of these women's public roles. White House officials described the inclusion of a second Trump gown as a rare distinction, shared by only a handful of first ladies in U.S. history. Melania Trump's 2017 inaugural gown, also designed by Pierre with silk crepe and a red ribbon, has been on display since that year.

The 2025 gown's creation process was...