US First Lady Melania Trump was awarded Fox Nation’s “Patriot of the Year” title on Thursday, a year after her husband, President Donald Trump, received the same honor following his 2024 victory over former US Vice President Kamala Harris. The First Lady accepted the award during a star-studded ceremony hosted by Fox Nation in New York.

Melania’s acceptance speech

In her acceptance speech, Melania thanked “American patriots” in the audience and those watching at home. “Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said. She also urged people to celebrate those who “dare to think differently,” adding, “Let’s embrace the spirit of ambition… Trust me, I know a little bit about challenging convention.”

About the Patriot Awards

Launched by Fox in 2019, the Patriot Awards celebrate individuals who exemplify courage, service, and patriotism. The awards honor military veterans, first responders, and citizens who have made significant contributions to the nation. The 7th annual ceremony took place on November 6, 2025, at the Tilles Center at LIU Post in Greenvale, New York.

Why was Melania Trump chosen?

Fox has not issued an official statement explaining the decision, but a Fox News report suggests Melania’s recognition could be tied to her humanitarian work for children during her second term as First Lady.

In October, Melania revealed that her discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin helped reunite eight Ukrainian children with their families. Earlier this year, she made history by becoming the first US First Lady to co-sign legislation alongside a sitting president when she and Donald Trump signed the “Take It Down Act” into law. The act prohibits the creation of AI-generated pornographic content using real people’s faces without consent.