Donald and Melania Trump went their separate ways on Saturday night when the first couple landed in New Jersey after their quick trip to Rome for Pope Francis‘ funeral.
On the eve of her 55th birthday, the first lady got into her SUV at Newark airport while the president boarded Marine One to head to his Bedminster, N.J. golf course.
But they had a sweet airport goodbye before paring: Trump gave his wife a kiss on cheek. He was walking toward his helicopter when he quickly stopped and went back to the first lady to give her parting peck.
The White House didn’t say why the couple split up.
But Barron Trump, their son, lives in New York City and Melania may have been headed there to spend her birthday evening.
President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump before boarding Marine One
Trump told reporters on Friday the couple would celebrate her birthday on Air Force One.
An aide carried a giant bouquet of pink flowers off the plane and placed it into the first lady’s motorcade.
The meal served on Air Force One included a chocolate coin for dessert with the seal of the first lady.
The Trumps left the White House on Friday morning, flew to Rome to spend the night and attend the pontiff’s funeral on Saturday at the Vatican. They left Italy as soon as the service concluded and landed back in the United States Saturday evening.
Melania Trump had changed out of her funeral clothes on the flight. She came off the plane wearing black pants, shirt and flats with a Burberry trench coat on over it.
‘Oh she’s gonna have a great birthday. She’s got a working birthday,’ the president told reporters Friday on Air Force One on the flight to Rome.
‘I’ll take her for dinner on the Boeing. I’ll take her for dinner on Air Force One,’ he said.
And he conceded: ‘I haven’t had time to buy presents. It’s been pretty busy.’
Melania donned black all weekend.
She wore Dolce and Gabbana for the funeral service, complete with a veil, lace gloves and a diamond cross necklace. The first lady is Catholic.
The first couple held hands throughout the service.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump part ways at the Newark Airport
The president and first lady at Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One, after attending Pope Francis’ funeral, at Newark Liberty International Airport
Last year’s birthday was a rough one for Melania.
It was her first birthday since the death of her mother, Amalija Knavs, who died in January 2024.
She spent the day quietly at the Trumps’ home in Mar-a-Lago, her father Viktor and son Barron at her side.
Her husband was having his own tough day.
Trump, who was then a presidential candidate, was in New York fighting hush money charges regarding a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump. He denies the charges. He was ultimately convicted 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
He was thinking of his wife that day a year ago, when he stood outside the courthouse in New York City.
‘I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday. Would be nice to be with her but I’m at a courthouse for a rigged trial,’ he said.
‘Everybody knows it. Yesterday was a big day. But I do have to begin by wishing Melania happy birthday. She’s in Florida,’ he added.
President Trump is scheduled to return to Washington D.C. on Sunday.
