Donald and Melania Trump went their separate ways Saturday night after returning to New Jersey from a brief trip to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral. As they landed at Newark Airport on the eve of Melania’s 55th birthday, the first lady got into her SUV while President Trump boarded Marine One to head to his Bedminster golf club, according to a report by Daily Mail.
Before parting, they shared a brief, sweet moment: Trump, already walking toward the helicopter, turned back to kiss Melania on the cheek. The White House did not offer an explanation for why the couple split up after their arrival.
However, it’s possible Melania was heading to New York City to be with their son, Barron Trump, for her birthday evening. An aide was seen carrying a large bouquet of pink flowers from the plane to the first lady’s motorcade.
The Trumps had departed the White House Friday morning for an overnight trip to Rome, attending the pontiff’s funeral on Saturday at the Vatican before immediately flying back to the United States, the report mentioned.
Melania, who had worn a traditional black mourning outfit during the funeral — a Dolce & Gabbana ensemble complete with veil, lace gloves, and a diamond cross necklace — changed on the flight home into black pants, a black shirt and flats, topped with a Burberry trench coat.
“She’s going to have a great birthday. She’s got a working birthday,” President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Rome. He added, jokingly, “I’ll take her for dinner on the Boeing. I’ll take her for dinner on Air Force One,” before admitting, “I haven’t had time to buy presents. It’s been pretty busy.”
Melania wore black throughout the weekend, fitting the somber mood of their trip.
Her 54th birthday a year earlier had been a difficult one — the first without her mother, Amalija Knavs, who passed away in January 2024. Melania spent that day quietly at Mar-a-Lago with her father, Viktor, and son, Barron.
Meanwhile, Trump had been in New York City battling legal troubles — fighting hush money charges related to a payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump denied the affair but was ultimately convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Standing outside the New York courthouse on her birthday last year, Trump had said, “I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday. Would be nice to be with her, but I’m at a courthouse for a rigged trial. Everybody knows it.” He added, “She’s in Florida.”
President Trump is expected to return to Washington, DC, on Sunday.
