Melania Trump honours Barbara Bush with stamp tribute at White House ceremony

US First lady Melania Trump stepped back into the spotlight on Thursday to lead a tribute to former US first lady Barbara Bush, unveiling a commemorative US postage stamp in her honour at the White House. The rare public appearance by Melania highlighted her continued interest in recognising women’s contributions to American history, as she hailed Bush’s “forward-thinking vision” and legacy of service.The ceremony took place in the East Room on a rainy afternoon, where she joined members of the Bush family, including Barbara’s daughter Doro Bush Koch, to reveal the stamp featuring the late first lady’s official White House portrait. The image shows Barbara Bush in a black suit and purple blouse with her iconic triple-strand pearls. The stamp is scheduled to go on sale starting June 10.Melania Trump used the occasion to celebrate Bush’s strength and her lasting influence on women’s empowerment.

Quoting from Barbara Bush’s iconic 1990 Wellesley College commencement address, she said, “Who knows, somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House, and I wish him well,” drawing laughter from the crowd, according to CNN.“Over 35 years have passed since Barbara Bush made the call for a female American president,” Melania said, calling the speech “an important moment in the conversation surrounding women’s roles in society.”

She went on to praise Bush’s courage in standing for causes that were often seen as ahead of their time, including support for people living with HIV/AIDS and for gay rights.“I applaud Mrs. Bush’s mark defending our society’s vital need for women across all avenues, whether CEO or homemaker,” Trump added, according to CNN.The tribute also served to contrast Melania Trump’s own quiet and independent approach to the role of first lady.

The ceremony marked one of her few appearances since her husband began his second term. She has largely remained out of the public eye, spending much of her time in Palm Beach and New York, and appearing only occasionally for official duties.While Melania’s remarks focused on respect and legacy, the event subtly acknowledged the complicated relationship between the Bush family and Donald Trump. Neither former President George W Bush nor Jeb Bush attended the ceremony, a quiet reminder of past political tensions. Barbara Bush had openly criticised Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, saying she was “sick” of his rhetoric, according to news agency AP.Still, Melania Trump struck a respectful and unifying tone, reflecting on how Barbara Bush had transformed the White House into a home and a platform for public service. “She inspired people to pursue their personal dreams,” Trump said, underscoring Bush’s long-standing influence on American values.Barbara Bush, who died in 2018 at the age of 92, is only the eighth first lady to be honoured with a US postage stamp.