Melania Trump Talks About ‘Challenging Convention’ as She Accepts Honor at Fox Patriot Awards

First lady Melania Trump received the Patriot of the Year Award at Fox Nation’s seventh annual Patriot Awards on Thursday, Nov. 6, held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, New York.

Wearing a long-sleeved black dress, the 55-year-old delivered a seven-minute speech celebrating American innovation and ambition.

“Let’s embrace the spirit of ambition. Let’s celebrate everyone who dares to think differently, for it is these courageous Americans who are the heartbeat of our civilization,” Melania said.

She added with a smile, “Trust me, I know a little bit about challenging convention,” drawing appreciative laughter from the audience.

Melania reflected on the country’s founding ideals, saying, “Patriotism in our country dates back to our rebellious founders, who raged against British rule seeking independence from the crown. They all defied expectations politically and intellectually. Each shared a common trait: they reinvented how things work.”

Continuing her remarks, she honored the founders’ spirit of innovation:

“We see it again and again; personal achievement fuels collective progress. When someone creates from conviction — a song, a movement, an idea — it ripples outward, uniting our people.”

Concluding her speech, she encouraged the audience to take personal responsibility for progress:

“So, America, tonight let’s make a personal pledge to celebrate ambition and scale imagination to create a more advanced and prosperous society. Individual productivity is not selfish; it’s the heartbeat of civilization.”

The Patriot of the Year Award honors “everyday heroes and patriots who have shown unwavering dedication to the values that make our country great.” President Donald Trump received the same award in 2024.

During his own acceptance speech that year, the president referenced his election win and made strong remarks about tackling crime:

“We’re going to — and we’ll get involved with governors, including Democrat governors. Because that’s — unfortunately, whether you like it or not, that’s where the crime is… So we’re gonna stop it.”

Earlier this year, Melania joined the president on a state visit to the United Kingdom, where she also attended a solo engagement with Princess Kate. She reportedly helped redesign the White House Rose Garden and spoke on Capitol Hill in support of the “TAKE IT DOWN Act”, a bill designed to protect victims of deepfake and revenge pornography.

The 2025 Patriot Awards, hosted by Sean Hannity, also featured Jason and Brittany Aldean presenting the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award to his widow, Erika Kirk, who has since taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA following her husband’s assassination at a TP USA event last month.

Each year moving forward, Fox Nation plans to honor a recipient who “embodies Charlie’s mission and his spirit of free speech, faith, and family.”

Other awards presented during the event included:

• Young Patriot Award
• Benjamin Hall “Honor” Award
• Tunnel to Towers’ Stephen Siller Courage Award
• Salute to Service Award
• Most Valuable Patriot Award
• Heroism Award.