First lady Melania Trump accepted the “Patriot of the Year” award at a star-studded annual event organized by Fox Nation Thursday night with a speech centered on America’s innovative spirit, which she described as a “form of patriotism.”
Trump, 55, accepted the award, designed to resemble the American flag, at the Tilles Center Concert Hall in Brookville, Long Island, during the network’s 7th annual Patriot Awards, hosted by Sean Hannity.
The first lady began her remarks by thanking the “American patriots” in the audience and watching at home.
“Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
“Let’s embrace the spirit of ambition. Let’s celebrate everyone who dares to think differently,” FLOTUS continued, calling those who do, the “heartbeat of our civilization.”
“Trust me, I know a little bit about challenging convention,” the mom of one quipped.
The first lady went on to pay tribute to America’s “rebellious founders who raged against British rule.
“They all defied expectations politically and intellectually,” Trump explained.
“Each shared a common trait. They reinvented how things work.”
“Personal achievement fuels collective progress. Daring to chase your dream is the American way. Innovation isn’t accidental here. It’s in our DNA,” she said, arguing that in America, “innovation is a form of patriotism.”
Hannity described Melania as someone who “perfectly exemplifies that kind of quiet courage that makes this country so great” and is “reinventing the role of America’s first lady.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Melania Trump will go down in history as one of the most impactful people ever to grace the halls of that White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” he added.
The Slovenia-born former fashion model has been actively involved in several initiatives since her husband took office in January.
In May, she became the first FLOTUS to sign a piece of legislation alongside a sitting president when she co-signed the Take it Down Act into law with President Trump.
The legislation outlaws artificial intelligence-generated pornography depicting the faces of real people without their consent.
Melania’s push for the bill brought her to Capitol Hill in March, where she lobbied lawmakers to criminalize the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery — including “revenge porn.”
With Melania’s backing, the Take it Down Act breezed through the House of Representatives in a 409-2 vote and was approved in the Senate by unanimous consent.
The first lady has also spoken out about the courage of women who were held hostage by Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel.
At the International Women of Courage awards ceremony in April, Melania highlighted the achievements of Israeli lawyer Amit Soussana, who survived 55 days as a captive of the terror group in Gaza.
Melania has also helped reunify Ukrainian children abducted during Russia’s war with Kyiv with family members.
She wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the issue of child separation amid the war that was delivered at Trump’s Aug. 15 Alaska summit with the Kremlin leader.
Since delivery of the letter, Melania has had “an open channel of communication” with Putin and “several back channel meetings and calls” have taken place, she revealed last month.
Her husband was the recipient of last year’s Fox Nation Patriot of the Year award.
This year’s trophies were crafted by Wisconsin father-son duo Shane and Justis Henderson.
It’s their third time making the program’s unique awards.
“This year, we brought it to a whole ‘nother level,” Shane told Fox Nation, explaining that “historically significant artifacts that represent the fight for our country’s independence,” including nails from a New York City church attended by George Washington, wood from one of his elm trees and musket balls from the Revolutionary War were incorporated in the manufacturing process.
The star-studded ceremony honored several inspirational “everyday Americans who exemplify the patriotic spirit,” including military veterans, first responders and Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who received the first-ever Legacy Award named after her husband.
Country music star Jason Aldean performed at the event and several Fox News personalities were among those giving out the awards.
“It’s well deserved,” Robert Misseri, president of Paws of War, who received a Patriot Award last year, told The Post about Erika and Melania’s awards.
“It’s incredible to see the passion, such passion, Americans have in their politics,” Neil, a naturalized American citizen originally from the United Kingdom, said of the show.
Read the full article here
