First Lady Pool Reports of December 1, 2025

FLOTUS/SLOTUS Pool Report #1

Good morning from Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, Maryland where First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance have arrived for a holiday event with military families. They will deliver remarks, visit with the military families, and create care packages for deployed service members.

They are joined by Michael Jordan, Vice President of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services for the American Red Cross, as well as a number of Cabinet spouses: Jennifer Hegseth, Spouse of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Kathryn Burgum, Spouse of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Cheryl Hines, Spouse of HHS Secretary RFK Jr, Liz Wright, Spouse of Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Lisa Collins, Spouse of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and Marlo Greer, Spouse of the United States Trade Jamieson Greer.

Red Cross organizers at today's event say they plan to make 700 care packages total, which will include rice krispies, hydration packs, Slim Jim’s, tissues, peanuts, granola bars, popcorn packets, and handwritten notes.

We're situated in a hanger with multiple aircraft: an F-16, a C-37, and a Bell UH-1N Twin Huey. Soft Christmas jazz is playing and guests are enjoying hot cocoa and cookies.

The First Lady and Second Lady are expected to begin speaking shortly.

More background from the First Lady's team:

BACKGROUND
The First Lady invites military spouses at Joint Base Andrews to join her in a heartfelt mission: creating care packages for our deployed Service members. Together with the American Red Cross, Second Lady Usha Vance and U.S. Government Cabinet spouses, this gathering is a powerful reminder of our unwavering support for those who serve and celebrate the strength and resilience that define our Armed Forces.

More on JBA: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is America’s Airfield and home to 26,000 joint military and civilian personnel and their families, three higher headquarters, six wings, 85 mission partners, and 148 geographically separated units. JBA is comprised of every service component, as well as several other federal and state entities.

More on the Red Cross: The Red Cross helps members of the military, Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service, both in the U.S. and abroad. The Red Cross serves troops and their families on hundreds of military installations and deployment sites worldwide.

FLOTUS/SLOTUS Pool Report #2

The First Lady is wearing a Ralph Lauren grey button up, a brown turtle neck, and Christian Louboutin boots.

The Second Lady is wearing suede brown pants, black flats, and a plaid blazer.

Michael Jordan, Vice President of Service to the Armed Forces for the American Red Cross, introduced Second Lady Usha Vance. He praised both FLOTUS and SLOTUS for their patriotism and love and spoke to the impact of the American Red Cross.

Second Lady Usha Vance introduced the First Lady, but first pointed out that Michael Jordan is about to retire and led a round of applause for him.

The First Lady then spoke, reflecting on the love and sacrifice of military families and encouraging each of those present to also take care of themselves, saying: "Your wellbeing is
vital—not just for your families, but for your own future. Your journey matters. Your voice matters. And your strength continues to inspire us all."

Remarks were carried live. A few quotes (please check transcript):

"Today, we are surrounded by people whose strength is often quiet, but always powerful. We speak regularly of the bravery of our Service members—and we should. But we must also illuminate the bravery of those who walk beside them. The spouses who carry the weight of family life on top of their own dreams."

"Your lives require a resilience that few outside the military can understand. Moves that take you across the country, and around the world. Holidays spent with an empty
chair at the table. Milestones celebrated over a screen because the person you love is thousands of miles away."

"May this Christmas bring peace to your homes, safety to those who are deployed, and gratitude in the hearts of every American who thanks you for your service and sacrifice."

FLOTUS/SLOTUS Pool Report #3

The First Lady and the Second Lady are now participating in Red Cross holiday care package building and card writing with military families.

I’m told one guest asked FLOTUS how her Thanksgiving was, and she shared that she spent the holiday at Mar-A-Lago with the president.

Both FLOTUS and SLOTUS sat down to write holiday cards to deployed service members, chatting with guests and each other as they did so. We’re out of hearing range but both FLOTUS and SLOTUS appeared to share anecdotes and stories and listened closely to those around them.

Mrs. Trump wrote on her card: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you four your service, our nation is proud of you!

FLOTUS/SLOTUS Pool Report #4

FLOTUS and SLOTUS departed JBA around 1:20 pm ET. Press is motorcading with FLOTUS back to the White House, and Mrs. Vance is returning to the Naval Observatory.

FLOTUS/SLOTUS Pool Report #5

FLOTUS has now arrived back at the White House as of about 1:45. That's all from me for today's visit to JBA. Happy December!