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In her first joint visit with second lady Usha Vance, first lady Melania Trump met with troops and military families, praising the Marine Corps’ 250 years of service while warning that artificial intelligence (AI) will redefine modern warfare and America’s defense.
In her remarks Wednesday at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Mrs. Trump emphasized AI’s role in her husband’s administration as a pillar of American defense strategy.
“Technology is changing the art of war,” Trump said. “Predictably, AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons.”
The first lady made her remarks as the Trump administration expands its focus on AI. The president posted to Truth Social earlier this week, saying, “We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes.”
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President Trump’s AI push aligns with his broader “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” published in July.
The first lady acknowledged the service and 250-year legacy of the Marine Corps, including two Marines she welcomed on stage, Sgt. Blake Donoher and Cpl. Daishamari Cannon.
Trump said the “most significant change will be speed” when it comes to AI, adding that “artificial intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war … but, of course, it is the Marine who will always play the most critical role in realizing mission success.”
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The first lady noted that AI is taking America’s military “from soldiers to machines.”
“Artificial intelligence is propelling America’s military into a new era,” Trump said. “We are moving from human operators to human overseers — fast. The shift from soldiers to machines is already underway: Autonomous helicopters, swarming drones and recon aircraft are here now. Fighter-less jets and autonomous bombers are on the way.”
The first lady was introduced by second lady and Marine Corps spouse Usha Vance, who greeted the Marines by relaying a “happy birthday” message from Vice President JD Vance. The Marine Corps birthday is Nov. 10.
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The event coincided with national Thanksgiving preparations, and both the first and second ladies visited classrooms at Camp Lejeune.
Students showcased AI projects as part of the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge during the visit. Trump hugged a shy student in a moment caught on camera in a first grade class, where students read aloud and joined in a lively game of Heads Up!, wearing a matching note card on her head.
“Don’t be shy,” the first lady said before embracing a boy who seemed nervous to meet her.
The first lady concluded her remarks with thanks to service members and their families.
“To every service member — thank you for standing watch so others can celebrate in peace. And to every military spouse and child — thank you for your strength and love,” Trump said. “You serve our country, too.
“As we give thanks this season, let us remember what unites us — our shared love of country, our faith in one another and our pride in those who serve.”
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The first lady’s office referred Fox News Digital to her prepared remarks.
Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed to this report.
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