05/08/26

I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II. This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

See the Truth HERE .

Office of the First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2026

Women can lead boldly at work while restoring the honor of motherhood

A mother's devotion to her child is unmatched. This love takes many forms: strength, compassion, wisdom, grace, joy, labor, humor and even grief, to name a few. The love between mother and child has helped shape America's identity since the nation's founding 250 years ago.

It is time to revisit the enduring American family traditions that have supported generations, while also recognizing the challenges for mothers of building both a career and a home. This balancing act reflects the realities women face today.

America's strength is closely tied to the role mothers play in shaping character, education and moral order within families. From morning until night, mothers serve as the first teachers of empathy, aspiration and discipline. It is mothers who do so much to shape a child's mind -- how to think, how to distinguish right from wrong and how to persevere in challenging times.

The household is our nation's smallest institution, yet it is the foundation of all others, including democracy itself. The values cultivated in homes often shape the moral voice of the next generation. Looking ahead, we must consider how to strengthen this vital role.

Being a modern mother demands the discipline and restraint to not disregard what came before us. In this spirit, the healthy evolution of the American family can best be achieved by preserving the elements of the past that have proven their worth. In doing so, America can restore the honor of motherhood after years in which feminism often placed career above family, with consequences to our nation.

Yes, women can thrive in both motherhood and business. But let's be honest, extended families and strong support systems are often essential to providing a solid base for success. That's why I admire the strength and dedication of single mothers in America, who often handle these responsibilities alone.

I note, too, that May is National Foster Care Month . Across America, tens of thousands of foster mothers selflessly provide safety and stability when it is needed most. Often, these moments create powerful bonds that can alter a child's trajectory and even lead to a permanent home through adoption, changing lives forever.

American women today are finding unique ways to balance career ambition and family. The busy accountant who makes time during tax season to read with her kids before bedtime; the nurse who works a grueling shift starting at 6 a.m. but treasures being present with her children when they return from school. We all know these incredible women.

From these stories, we revisit a simple but enduring truth about being a mother: You make yourself available not just when it is convenient, but whenever your child needs you. This is the heartbeat of an everlasting connection between a mother and her child.

Children's trust in their mothers grows over time, particularly when they know they are prioritized -- before everything, including work. This holds true not only in moments of need, but also in ordinary moments: when a child wishes to talk, laugh or simply be together. In order to sustain this bond, a mother's self-care is essential.

To be fully present for a child, mothers must occasionally take time to restore their own energy. Such care is not selfish, but an important part of caring for others. Through self-care, your devotion to your children and the rest of your family is more effective. This approach will enrich every aspect of your life, professional and personal.

Make time for yourself, while also welcoming challenges -- learning new things, and discovering and building on your passions.

I constantly challenge myself, as first lady, to think beyond the traditional responsibilities of the East Wing. That has resulted in many new opportunities, including leading four reunifications of Ukrainian and Russian children with their families, addressing the U.N. Security Council on achieving peace through education , and, at the White House, launching Fostering the Future Together , a global effort to help children thrive through the safe and innovative use of technology. But family always comes first.

Together, let's champion a new American model that restores the honor of motherhood by encouraging all women to lead boldly at work while also making family the cornerstone of our national future. I invite you to join me in prioritizing family as we shape a stronger America for the generations to come.

Read this op-ed in The Washington Post here .

05/08/26

"The April jobs report smashing expectations thanks to robust private-sector growth is yet another sign that the American economy remains on a solid trajectory under President Trump. America added 12,600 factory construction jobs in April as trillions in investments continue pouring into American manufacturing. Every leading indicator is pointed in the right direction, and Americans can rest assured that the best is yet to come." -- White House spokesman Kush Desai

Here's what you need to know:

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The U.S. labor market is surging. The economy added 115,000 jobs in April -- crushing economists' expectations and delivering the second straight month of strong gains. In 2026, the economy has powered ahead with an average of 76,000 new jobs per month, a big leap from the 10,000 monthly average in 2025.

Economists keep getting it wrong as they underestimate the strength of the Trump economy. 94% of Bloomberg economists completely missed April's impressive growth, continuing their pattern of underestimating the momentum of the current expansion.

American manufacturing is roaring back. The economy added 12,600 factory construction jobs in April alone, propelled by trillions in new investments flooding into advanced manufacturing and data centers. The first quarter of 2026 delivered the first manufacturing job growth since 2023, with every major indicator now flashing strong expansion after years of Biden-era decline.

President Trump is dramatically shrinking the federal bureaucracy. His bold efforts have already slashed the federal workforce by 345,000 workers, making the federal government the smallest it has been since May 1966 -- and the smallest it has ever been as a share of the total workforce.

American workers are flooding back into the workforce. Prime-age labor force participation remains exceptionally strong, with prime-age female participation hovering near its all-time high and prime-age male participation at its highest level since 2009. Workers are proudly coming off the sidelines and powering the Trump Economy.

Here's what they're saying:

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The Wall Street Journal : "The U.S. job market blew past expectations again in April, buoyed by gains across industries including retail, transportation and warehousing, and healthcare, a sign that the labor market remained resilient in the face of the Iran war."

Bloomberg Economics Chief U.S. Economist Anna Wong : "April hiring was surprisingly robust… The most interesting detail in April's jobs report is from the area that powered more than half the month's job gains: the freight sector. That confirms the improvement flagged by recent strong readings in PMIs and regional Fed manufacturing surveys: A strong recovery may be underway in the industrial sector."

Politico : "President Donald Trump's labor market is bouncing back."

The New York Times reporter Tony Romm : "The jobs report gives President Trump a favorable data point to tout."

Economist Steve Moore : "This is a real tribute to a lot of Trump policies… The buzzword for today is 'resilience'"

Northlight Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Chris Zaccarelli : "The economy is so much better than what the doom crew has been saying… The labor market is adding jobs, GDP is growing and corporate profits are expanding at a rapid pace."

Lombard Odier Investment Managers Head of Macro Research Florian Ielpo : "What is not to like? It is better than expected without being too strong, and it does not look directly inflationary."

CNBC anchor Rick Santelli : "We are much stronger… These are good numbers."

Fox Business Network anchor Cheryl Casone : "We got a much better than expected jobs report for the month of April. 115,000 jobs is the nonfarm number. The expectation was 62,000. Again, a strong print for the U.S. jobs picture."

Citizens Bank Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Markets Eric Merlis : "The April jobs report is a clear upside surprise… Importantly, the data suggests the hostilities in the Middle East have had little visible impact on the U.S. job market."

Navy Federal Credit Union Chief Economist Heather Long : "Good news. The US economy added a strong 115,000 jobs in April The unemployment rate stayed at 4.3%. Hiring was strong in healthcare , retail and transportation/warehouse."

Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz : "Small businesses are really the generators of job creation and never has been more the truth than that than this particular week and this particular year under this Administration and under the leadership of Kelly Loeffler, small businesses are leading the charge here."

CNN's Matt Egan : "This was a big beat for the job market... The U.S. economy adding 115,000 jobs in April -- that's almost twice as much as the consensus from economists."

The New York Times reporter Lydia DePillis : "That's another surprisingly good showing, up about twice what economists expected."