First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance traveled to North Carolina to deliver Thanksgiving care packages to Marine Corps members and their families, marking the first time the two women accompanied each other without their husbands. The visit included appearances at Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, where they addressed approximately 1,600 uniformed Marines and their relatives at Marine Corps Air Station New River.

Trump emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence to the military, stating that “technology is changing the art of war,” and noting that “AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons.” She also highlighted the shift from human operators to human overseers, urging officials to prioritize technological development.

The two women recognized the 250th anniversary of the Marines, with Vance calling military families “a model for our country and for my own family.” Brigadier General Ralph J. Rizzo Jr. noted that visits by dignitaries like Trump and Vance “matter because they show our families their service and sacrifices are seen and appreciated.”

During the trip, Trump and Vance engaged with students at Lejeune High School, discussing AI with high schoolers and helping younger children with crafts, including making turkeys from cardstock and Elmer’s glue. They also listened to a presentation by students in an advanced placement research class, recalling the Marine Corps’ “Devil Dog” nickname.

The visit underscored the nation’s gratitude for military service, with Trump asserting, “Please know that our nation is thinking of you, praying for you and deeply grateful for your service.”