The first lady took center stage Thursday evening at the newly christened Trump-Kennedy Center to introduce her latest project to Washington’s power players and entertainment industry heavyweights.
Melania Trump personally addressed attendees before the screening, clarifying the nature of her production.
“Some have called this a documentary. It is not,” she stated from the stage.
“It is a creative experience that offers perspectives, insights and moments that only few perceive.”
The film, carrying the title “Melania: Twenty Days to History,” provides a window into the weeks preceding the President’s second inauguration.
The production tracks the first lady’s journey from the couple’s Florida residence to New York City.
For the premiere, the first lady selected a buttoned Dolce and Gabbana dress paired with black stilettos.
She appeared alongside the president and an array of notable figures from both entertainment and political spheres, including television personality Dr. Phil, recording artist Nicki Minaj and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Daily Mail reported that President Trump compared the event to previous entertainment industry gatherings while speaking with the media on the red carpet.
“This is like the good old days when the Academy Awards used to get ratings,” he remarked.
Notably, one expected attendee failed to materialize at the venue.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, previously scheduled to attend, was absent from the red carpet amid mounting calls for her resignation following Saturday’s fatal Border Patrol shooting of a protester in Minneapolis.
Noem has mounted a defiant defense of her actions following the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse.
Speaking to Fox News, Noem dismissed mounting pressure for her resignation as attacks from political extremists.
“These radicals are attacking me, but I’m just doing my job,” Noem stated during the interview.
“I’m following the law, enforcing the laws like President Trump promised that he would do to keep people safe in this country.”
The secretary also addressed a newly released video showing Pretti confronting ICE agents in Minneapolis just 11 days before his death.
Noem characterized the footage as evidence of ongoing challenges facing federal officers in the field.
“Clearly, there’s a history there of attacking our law enforcement officers and our CBP and ICE officers,” Noem said.
“That’s an example of what our officers have had to face every single day in Minneapolis and in Minnesota.”
Despite her forceful defense, Noem acknowledged room for improvement in operational procedures.
She indicated support for examining the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death to enhance future protocols.
“We believe that we can always do better, and we seek to do that every single day,” Noem said.
“And we want to make sure that we not only improve protocols on the ground in chaotic and volatile situations like this, but that we continue to find the truth around this situation.”
The secretary expressed appreciation for the president’s decision to deploy border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota.
She indicated hopes that Homan could facilitate cooperation with state and local leadership.
“I’m grateful that the president had the wisdom to send Tom Homan there to have conversations again to see if he can get the leaders of Governor Walz and Mayor Frey to commit to honoring our detainers and to keeping our officers safe while they do their work,” Noem stated.
Meanwhile, Greg Bovino, commander at large, recorded a message from Mount Rushmore celebrating ICE operations in Minneapolis.
The video, filmed approximately 600 miles from the operational zone, praised agents’ aggressive enforcement approach.
“I’m very proud of what you, the Mean Green Machine, are doing in Minneapolis right now, just like you’ve done it across the United States over these tough past nine months,” Bovino said.
“I want you to know you are the modern day equivalent of turn and burn.”
The secretary confronts additional challenges on Capitol Hill, where over 140 Democratic representatives have co-sponsored impeachment articles.
The proposed charges include allegations of self-dealing, congressional obstruction, and violations of public trust.
A DHS spokesperson speaking to Axios dismissed the impeachment effort as “silly” and suggested Democrats should address crime issues in their own districts.
Democrats plan to proceed with an investigation into Noem’s tenure without Republican participation, according to the Washington Post.
The Daily Mail/JL Partners poll, conducted Jan. 26 with over 1,000 registered voters, shows Noem’s disapproval rating jumped to 41 percent from 37 percent in December.
The survey carries a 3.1 percent margin of error.
Survey results indicate 46 percent of respondents support impeaching Noem, while 42 percent believe President Trump should terminate her employment.
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