What’s the ‘Patriot of the Year’ award that Melania Trump recieved?

Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, was honoured with Fox Nation’s ‘Patriot of the Year’ award on Thursday.

Fox News host Sean Hannity had earlier hinted that Melania would receive “a very important award” at the event held in Brookville, New York, an upscale Long Island town. Interestingly, the same title was awarded to her husband, Donald Trump, during the 2024 ceremony.

The Fox-run Patriot Awards, organised annually since 2019, celebrate individuals who “embody the spirit of American patriotism”, recognising military veterans, first responders, and other citizens who have made meaningful contributions to their communities, Fox said in a statement.

Why did Melania receive the award?

Melania Trump received the award in recognition of her “work on behalf of children and families,” according to Fox News.

The Slovenia-born former model has been involved in several social and humanitarian efforts since her husband returned to office in January.

In May, she made history by becoming the first First Lady of the United States to co-sign a bill into law alongside a sitting president. The legislation, known as the Take It Down Act, bans the creation and sharing of AI-generated pornographic content that uses real people’s faces without their consent.

More from Explainers

Are music and PT 'un-Islamic'? How Bangladesh govt ban on teachers has triggered protests in Dhaka Is Pakistan’s 27th Amendment to Constitution the end of civilian rule?

Melania had personally advocated for the bill earlier this year, visiting Capitol Hill in March to urge lawmakers to criminalise the distribution of non-consensual intimate images, including what’s commonly called “revenge porn.”

Her campaign gained strong bipartisan support, with the Take It Down Act passing through the House in a 409-2 vote and later receiving unanimous approval in the Senate.

Beyond her legislative efforts, Melania has also used her platform to speak out on global humanitarian issues. She recently praised the bravery of women taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, calling their resilience “an inspiration to all women across the world.”

Editor’s Picks

1

Are Trump’s tariffs legal? What does the US Supreme Court think?

She has also taken up the cause of reuniting Ukrainian children separated from their families amid Russia’s invasion. Earlier this year, she penned a "peace letter" to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to address the issue of child separation. The letter was delivered during President Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15.

Host Sean Hannity lauded her understated effectiveness during an interview, saying, “I think that for any First Lady, it’s a very hard position. She’s got this quiet dignity about her, and is an absolutely brilliant human being."

He went on to describe Melania’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy as “remarkable", noting that many Americans were unaware of her involvement in back-channel efforts for the children’s release.

Addressing the audience, Trump spoke about innovation and the American spirit, saying, “Let’s celebrate everyone who dares to think differently, for it is these courageous Americans who are the heartbeat of our civilization.” She added that daring to pursue one’s dreams embodies the American way and described innovation itself as a form of patriotism.

What is the award all about?

The Patriot Awards were first launched by Fox Nation in 2019 to honour “everyday American heroes”,  people who go above and beyond for their country through courage, service, and innovation.

Awards are handed out across several categories, including Heroism, Young Patriot, Salute to Service, Most Valuable Patriot, and the top honour, Patriot of the Year.

This year’s event also introduced a new category, the Charlie Kirk Legacy Award, in memory of the late conservative activist. The award, presented to Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, recognises individuals who uphold the values he championed: faith, family, and free speech, according to Fox.

Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, was tragically shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah on September 10.

The trophies for the 2022, 2024, and 2025 editions of the Patriot Awards were designed by Shane and Justice Henderson, a father-son artist duo. Speaking on Fox & Friends ahead of the event, Shane Henderson said they had thought they had “peaked” with last year’s design but were “amazed by what they created for this year’s awards.”

With input from agencies