Melania Trump wishes army happy birthday but not husband whilst absent from family photos

First lady’s absence among birthday tributes to Mr Trump comes as thousands taunted him with Barack Obama praise

Gino Spocchia
Monday 15 June 2020 16:07 BST
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Melania Trump was among those who did not wish her husband, the US president, a happy birthday this weekend despite commemorating the US Army’s birthday on the same day.

Neither was Ms Trump seen alongside Donald Trump as he landed back in Washington DC alongside daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka had earlier tweeted a birthday tribute and wrote: “Happy birthday @realdonaldtrump! Love you!”

The three were said to have celebrated the president’s 74th birthday playing golf in New Jersey on Sunday, which also marked the 245th anniversary of the US Army’s foundation.

Ms Trump, however, appeared to shun her husband on social media and shared a US Army post which read: “Today, we recognize 245 years of bravery, commitment, skill and answering the call to serve. We are America’s Army.”

The president, who later retweeted the same US Army message, instead shared another birthday post featuring himself and Ms Trump dancing together.

Thousands used Sunday as an opportunity to taunt the president, with Twitter posts that praised the 44th US president, Barack Obama, and condemned Mr Trump.

“We love, appreciate, and miss the most intelligent, articulate, handsomest president ever in the United States of America. God bless you and the family”, wrote one user above a video showing Mr Obama.

Phrases such as #ObamaAppreciationDay and #AllBirthdaysMatter were among those used to troll Mr Trump throughout the day.

The “All Birthdays Matter” slogan in particular called-out those Trump supporters who have used the term “All Lives Matter” to dismiss the Black Lives Matter movement amid nationwide protests against systemic racism and police violence.

One person wrote: “It’s Trump’s birthday? Ridiculous. All birthdays matter!! I’m tired of hearing this “happy birthday Donald Trump” b******t!”

Ms Trump’s absence from the president’s public birthday celebrations came as an author suggested she had renegotiated her prenup agreement after the president’s election win in 2016.

The first lady’s office has dismissed the claims made by Mary Jordan’s new book, entitled ‘The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump’.

According to reports, the book contains claims that Ms Trump sought to strengthen her financial agreement with her husband and secure promises around the inheritance of their son, Barron.

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