First lady Melania Trump celebrated Valentine's Day on Wednesday by visiting a group of children receiving medical care who appeared to be very quiet around her.
Melania was visiting the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, when she walked into a room full of crafting kids and noticed the awkward silence. A Fox News video shared on social media platforms featured the moment.
She walked up to a table and said, "Don't be so quiet. It's a celebration day, right?"
The group laughed at her comment.
In the past, Melania has expressed her disdain for some of the public duties of her position — and has been known for being a grinch.
The visit to the NIH facility was called out online by social media users.
The Trump administration has made significant National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts during his first and second terms, reducing funding for medical research programs and scientific initiatives as part of broader efforts to decrease federal spending. These NIH funding reductions drew criticism from the scientific and medical communities, who have warned that decreased research funding would slow progress on disease research, drug development and public health initiatives.
Several people responded to the interaction between the first lady and children, and some of the other issues at hand with the Trump administration.
"They're clearly terrified!" Bravo executive Andy Cohen wrote on Threads.
"The balls to step foot in there while her husband and his lunatic HHS secretary defund childhood cancer research…" user Brad Stephen wrote on Threads.
"No one in this admin should be permitted within 100 yards of a school, given they’re all connected to a pdf ring," Tatenda Musapatike wrote on Threads.
‘DON’T BE SO QUIET’: First Lady Melania Trump celebrates Valentine’s Day at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, crafting cards and visiting with children receiving care. pic.twitter.com/3MDmMtZEdu
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 11, 2026