Former President Donald Trump made headlines over the weekend with a bizarre joke about leaving his wife, Melania Trump, for a young woman he met at a Chick-fil-A. The incident occurred during a rally at the Georgia State University Convocation Center in Atlanta, where Trump was campaigning as the GOP presidential nominee.
On Saturday, Trump introduced conservative activist Michaelah Montgomery to the stage, recalling their first meeting at an Atlanta Chick-fil-A earlier this year. “This one is so smart, so sharp,” Trump said, embracing Montgomery before making the surprising comment.
Trump recounted how Montgomery, who was working behind the counter at Chick-fil-A, had given him a kiss and told him that he had "saved" her college, Clark Atlanta University, one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. "She grabbed me. She gave me a kiss," Trump said. "I said, 'I think I'm never going back home to the First Lady.'"
Montgomery, standing next to Trump, humorously responded, "You were supposed to keep that quiet," prompting laughter from the crowd. Unfazed, Trump continued, “See, now, for the average politician, that’s death. For me, I don’t care,” before praising Montgomery as an “unbelievable” person with a “great personality.”
The encounter that Trump referred to took place in April, when videos of Montgomery hugging Trump inside the Chick-fil-A went viral. At the time, Trump had bought food for his supporters during a campaign stop in Atlanta. Montgomery, who founded Conserve the Culture, a grassroots campaign organization that recruits and educates college students and young alumni at HBCUs, was among the group of students who had gathered to meet Trump.
"People find it so hard to believe that there are young Black people who would have loved the opportunity to meet Trump," Montgomery told the Associated Press in April. "Everybody got together at around 9:30 in the morning and walked on over to the Chick-fil-A, and then we sat there and waited until the president showed up. It's really disheartening to see that the media makes it seem like we just stumbled into a Chick-fil-A, and he bought us milkshakes."
Trump’s comment about Melania comes amid her absence from the campaign trail. Since Trump launched his reelection bid in late 2022, Melania has largely stayed out of the public eye, making only a few official appearances, including on the final day of the Republican National Convention.
Over the weekend, Melania was spotted in New York City with luggage tagged "FLOTUS," signaling her support for her husband. Despite her limited presence in his campaign, her occasional public appearances continue to draw attention.
Trump’s offhand remark about leaving Melania for Montgomery is characteristic of his often unfiltered and controversial style. While such comments might spell trouble for other politicians, Trump’s supporters appear to embrace his unorthodox approach.
The rally in Georgia is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to solidify his position as the leading candidate for the Republican nomination. With the primary season heating up, Trump continues to dominate headlines, whether through policy proposals, campaign events, or personal anecdotes.
Trump’s joke at the rally underscores the broader dynamics of his campaign, where his personality and public statements play a significant role in shaping his political narrative. As the election season progresses, Trump’s interactions with supporters and his unconventional remarks are likely to remain a focal point of his campaign strategy.