Melania Trump recently described her second inaugural ball gown as more than just a dress, calling it a “courageous act of self-expression.” During a five-minute speech at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where her gown is now exhibited, the former First Lady stated that the piece embodies the “human condition.” This gown, worn at her husband’s second inauguration on January 20, 2026, is now on display for visitors to admire. This move is part of her increased public presence, coinciding with her promotional tour for her latest film, “Melania: Twenty Days to History.”

In a recent public appearance at the White House, Melania Trump met with Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American hostage who was recently freed, and his wife Aviva. During this rare occasion, she even answered a few questions from the press. Now, she has made headlines by donating her 2025 inaugural gown to the Smithsonian museum, where it can be viewed for free by all visitors. The gown features a prominent black Z shape on its predominantly white fabric. Melania mentioned that this design element “embodies decades of my early memories, life experiences, and influences,” though she did not delve into the specifics.

Melania emphasized that the gown is the culmination of “more than 50 years of education, experience, and wisdom realized with each thread, each stitch, each sharp edge.” During her remarks, she also offered advice to young girls, encouraging them to care for themselves “from inside out with precision every morning,” suggesting that this self-care leads to enhanced confidence and a steady gaze. Designed by Hervé Pierre, the gown is a striking strapless black-and-white floor-length creation, featuring a white silk crepe bodice complemented by two distinctive black silk gazar bands down the front.

It appeared to be a contrast of her controversial swearing-in outfit, which was mostly black and included a wide-rimmed hat that concealed her face for most of the event. Critics online called the look ‘menacing’ and ‘sombre.’ Melania said at the American History Museum on Friday that ‘the human condition is captured within every stitch’ of her gown, which she wore to dance with Trump at his inaugural ball. ‘The idea to endure and rise above mediocracy to reach the highest level – America’s destiny,’ she went on. ‘This black and white masterpiece showcases America’s pure spirit of originality, superior engineering and boundless creativity,’ Melania said. ‘It’s a statement as to why America’s fashion industry can lead the rest of the world.’

She then plugged her new film, which hit screens last month, saying that if people watched it they would see the behind-the-scenes process ‘it took to bring this technical marvel to life.’ ‘We must take pride not only in the small rituals of self care, but in the courageous act of self expression, our outward appearance to the world. The art of presenting oneself can be cultivated over a lifetime,’ Melania said. Melania also donated her first inaugural gown – a vanilla silk crepe off-the-shoulder number also designed by Pierre – to the American History Museum in October 2017. It has been on display at the museum since then.

The National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, will now house both dresses in its First Ladies Collection. It continues a long tradition dating back to 1912 of first ladies giving their dresses to the museum. Helen Herron Taft was the first to donate her inaugural ball gown from the 1909 inauguration. It remains a cornerstone of the collection.