Latest news with #LesMiserables
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
What has first lady Melania Trump done? Kennedy Center may get her name
Melania Trump is President Donald Trump's third wife. While the president's first six months back in office have been a whirlwind of news, the first lady has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Here is what to know about the first lady: What is the 'Take it Down Act?' Melania Trump made rare White House appearance to sign it What has Melania Trump done as first lady? Melania Trump played a key role in advocating for the Take it Down Act, which the president signed into law on May 19. The law criminalizes nonconsensual, explicit images created by artificial intelligence, often known as deepfakes. Outside of that advocacy, she has appeared in her official capacity sparingly since her husband returned to office. One of her appearances was actually at the Kennedy Center for a showing of "Les Miserables," where she stood alongside Trump as the crowd booed and cheered. Through the spring, she spoke at the International Women of Courage Awards, attended Pope Francis' funeral (on her 55th birthday), helped host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, and hosted a celebration of military mothers and a stamp unveiling honoring former first lady Barbara Bush. She also attended the Army's 250th anniversary parade in D.C., which occurred on Trump's 79th birthday. Melania Trump visited a D.C.-area children's hospital ahead of the Fourth of July, and appeared with the president as he signed the "Big Beautiful Bill" on the holiday. The following week, she visited the flood-ravaged areas of Texas. Later, she attended FIFA Club World Cup final, where her husband went viral for staying on stage for the winning team's celebration. When did Donald Trump marry Melania? Donald Trump and model Melania Knauss got married in 2005. They met in 1998, two years after she moved to New York. Does Melania Trump have a college degree? No. According to the American Presidency Project, Melania Trump did not complete a degree but attended the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia for one year. Is Melania Trump an immigrant? Yes, she was born in Slovenia and moved to the U.S. in 1996. Slovenia is a country in Eastern Europe between Croatia and Austria. Melania Trump was born as Melanija Knavs but changed her name to Melania Knauss and later Melania Trump. She is the only first lady to become a naturalized citizen and the second first lady born outside the United States. (The first was Louisa Catherine Adams, married to John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825-1829.) See photos of Melania Trump before she became first lady, when she met Trump as a young model Contributing: Bart Jansen, Jennifer Sangalang, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Maria Francis, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
MTV Lebanon
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- MTV Lebanon
Republicans seek to rename opera house after US First Lady Melania Trump
Republicans in the US House of Representatives sought Tuesday to rename the opera house in Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump. The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted to advance language that would condition funding for Washington's premier cultural institution on the name change as it debated the 2026 budget. Idaho congressman Mike Simpson, who introduced an amendment to call the venue the 'First Lady Melania Trump Opera House,' said it was an 'excellent way to recognize her support and commitment to promoting the arts.' The move marked the latest front in President Donald Trump's hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center, after he fired board members in February and appointed himself chairman, and replaced its longtime president with ally Richard Grenell. Trump, who accused the institution of being too 'woke,' also picked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Second Lady Usha Vance to serve as trustees. The president was met with cheers and boos at the center in June as he attended an opening night performance of hit musical 'Les Miserables.' Republicans have been keen to flatter Trump and help the president cement his legacy in his second term, including by introducing legislation to rename the capital region's Dulles International Airport after him. There have also been efforts in Congress to replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the $100 bill, to carve Trump's likeness on the iconic Mount Rushmore, to name a national holiday after him and to reimagine Washington's Metro train service as the Trump Train. The Kennedy Center change was added to legislation principally providing 2026 funding for the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. But the 2,364-seat theater -- the second-largest at the Kennedy Center complex -- would only get its new designation if the change was approved by both chambers of Congress. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate and spending bills require 60 votes to pass, meaning Democrats may be able to strip the name change out of the text before any final vote.
Leaders
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Republicans Push to Rename DC Opera House After Melania Trump
Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday proposed renaming the opera house at Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump. The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted to advance this proposal while debating the 2026 budget. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson introduced an amendment to designate the venue as the 'First Lady Melania Trump Opera House,' stating that this change would be an 'excellent way to recognize her support and commitment to promoting the arts.' Trump's Influence on the Kennedy Center This proposal represents the latest effort by President Donald Trump to assert control over the Kennedy Center. Earlier this year, he fired board members and appointed himself chairman. Additionally, he replaced the longtime president with ally Richard Grenell, following his criticism to the institution for being too 'woke' and appointed several close associates, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, as trustees. In June, Trump attended an opening night performance of the hit musical 'Les Miserables,' where he received both cheers and boos from the audience. Efforts to Cement Trump's Legacy Republicans have actively sought to honor Trump and solidify his legacy during his second term, as they have introduced various proposals, including renaming Dulles International Airport after him. Other efforts include replacing Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill, carving Trump's likeness into Mount Rushmore, and establishing a national holiday in his name. Additionally, they have suggested rebranding Washington's Metro train service as the 'Trump Train.' The proposed name change for the Kennedy Center's opera house is part of a larger legislative package that primarily focuses on funding for the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency for 2026. However, the 2,364-seat theater, the second-largest in the Kennedy Center complex, will only receive its new designation if both chambers of Congress approve the change. Currently, Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, but spending bills require 60 votes to pass, which means that Democrats may have the opportunity to remove the name change from the final legislation before any vote occurs. Short link : Post Views: 13
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Republicans seek to rename opera house after Melania Trump
WASHINGTON: Republicans in the US House of Representatives sought Tuesday to rename the opera house in Washington's John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump. The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted to advance language that would condition funding for Washington's premier cultural institution on the name change as it debated the 2026 budget. Idaho congressman Mike Simpson, who introduced an amendment to call the venue the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House," said it was an "excellent way to recognise her support and commitment to promoting the arts." The move marked the latest front in President Donald Trump's hostile takeover of the Kennedy Centre, after he fired board members in February and appointed himself chairman, and replaced its longtime president with ally Richard Grenell. Trump, who accused the institution of being too "woke," also picked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Second Lady Usha Vance to serve as trustees. The president was met with cheers and boos at the centre in June as he attended an opening night performance of hit musical "Les Miserables." Republicans have been keen to flatter Trump and help the president cement his legacy in his second term, including by introducing legislation to rename the capital region's Dulles International Airport after him. There have also been efforts in Congress to replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the US$100 bill, to carve Trump's likeness on the iconic Mount Rushmore, to name a national holiday after him and to reimagine Washington's Metro train service as the Trump Train. The Kennedy Centre change was added to legislation principally providing 2026 funding for the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. But the 2,364-seat theatre – the second-largest at the Kennedy Centre complex – would only get its new designation if the change was approved by both chambers of Congress. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate and spending bills require 60 votes to pass, meaning Democrats may be able to strip the name change out of the text before any final vote.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Republicans Seek To Rename Kennedy Center Opera House For Melania Trump
Washington: Republicans in the US House of Representatives sought Tuesday to rename the opera house in Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump. The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted to advance language that would condition funding for Washington's premier cultural institution on the name change as it debated the 2026 budget. Idaho congressman Mike Simpson, who introduced an amendment to call the venue the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House," said it was an "excellent way to recognize her support and commitment to promoting the arts." The move marked the latest front in President Donald Trump's hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center, after he fired board members in February and appointed himself chairman, and replaced its longtime president with ally Richard Grenell. Trump, who accused the institution of being too "woke," also picked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Second Lady Usha Vance to serve as trustees. The president was met with cheers and boos at the center in June as he attended an opening night performance of hit musical "Les Miserables." Republicans have been keen to flatter Trump and help the president cement his legacy in his second term, including by introducing legislation to rename the capital region's Dulles International Airport after him. There have also been efforts in Congress to replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the $100 bill, to carve Trump's likeness on the iconic Mount Rushmore, to name a national holiday after him and to reimagine Washington's Metro train service as the Trump Train. The Kennedy Center change was added to legislation principally providing 2026 funding for the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. But the 2,364-seat theater -- the second-largest at the Kennedy Center complex -- would only get its new designation if the change was approved by both chambers of Congress. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate and spending bills require 60 votes to pass, meaning Democrats may be able to strip the name change out of the text before any final vote.
