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First Lady Melania Trump gave a speech paying tribute to American innovation accepting Fox News' Patriot of the Year Award. She gave the seven-minute long address in a stunning black, long-sleeve gown with a thigh-high split at the conservative network's 2025 Patriot Awards on Long Island. Her husband stayed back in Washington DC to host the leaders of several Central Asian nations. The first lady, 55, celebrated 'American patriots' in the crowd before offering a tribute to people she called 'American dreamers and innovators who embrace originality.' 'Let's embrace the spirit of ambition. Let's celebrate everyone who dares to think differently, for it is these courageous Americans who are the heartbeat of our civilization,' Trump said. She then quipped: 'Trust me, I know a little bit about challenging convention.' The first lady turned back the clock, paying tribute to the founders of the United States in the Revolutionary War. 'Patriotism in our country dates back to our rebellious founders who raged against British rule, seeking independence from the crown. They all defied expectations politically and intellectually.' Trump praised the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, who she said 'reinvented how things work' and added that 'innovation is a form of patriotism.' 'Each built an extraordinary life and in doing so build a stronger America. Their personal ambition became a public good benefiting us all.' The first lady, who emigrated from Slovenia, spoke with a passion about what makes America great. '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 also promoted her own innovation, working with Amazon on a new documentary about her life ahead of her husband's second inauguration which she said was 'a defining moment in history.' On a night that honored Charlie Kirk's widow Erika, Melania paid tribute to those who defy political correctness. 'Be relentless in experimentation. Never stop trying new things. Keep pushing yourself to grow both intellectually and personally. Embrace different perspectives, even opposing ones. Open your mind. Then change the world through your talent and hard work.' She finished by asking the audience to make a 'personal pledge to celebrate ambition and scale imagination to create a more advanced and pro prosperous society. Individual productivity is not selfish. It's the heartbeat of civilization.' Kirk and inspiring 13-year-old DJ Daniel were among the others honored at the award show, which Fox has held dating back to 2019. Star host Sean Hannity was the master of ceremonies and Jason Aldean performed. The first lady was honored for her 'work on behalf of children and families.' Trump has been even more prominent during her husband's second administration than his first. In May, she added her signature as the president signed a bill into law that she strongly campaigned for. It was an unprecedented move for a first lady and one that showed Melania's ownership of the cause. The new Take It Down Act provides protections for victims of revenge porn and it marked her first major legislative success. For a first lady to add her signature is highly unusual - it is the president that signs bills into law - but Melania had championed the legislation and met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to lobby for it. After signing the bill in the Rose Garden, Trump encouraged his wife to do so as well, handing over the binder featuring the law and telling her to go ahead. She smiled as she picked up a white pen to add her name underneath his. The president also praised his wife's work on the issue. 'Honey, you've done amazing,' he said, adding that when he heard of the legislation: 'I said, it sounds like a tough one, and yet a very important one, and you got it done. So I congratulate you.' Melania spoke first at the Rose Garden signing ceremony. It was a rare appearance for her at a White House event. She called the legislation a 'national victory that will help parents and families protect children from online exploitation.' 'This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American, especially young people, can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused,' she continued. And she criticized artificial intelligence and social media, calling it the 'digital candy for the next generation.' 'Sweet, addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children,' the first lady explained. 'But unlike sugar, this new technologies can be weaponized, shape beliefs and sadly affect emotions and even be deadly.' The bill had the support of both Republicans and Democrats and the first lady cheered its bipartisan nature. 'Thank you all for coming together to prioritize people over politics,' she said. In March, Melania hosted women impacted by revenge porn in her box at the president's joint address before Congress.
