Melania Trump welcomed to the White House on Wednesday freed Israeli hostages Keith Siegel and wife Aviva, who played a role in her newly released film.
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The first lady denied she was promoting her self-titled documentary, even though she and the former Hamas captives mentioned the movie that hit theaters on Friday in their remarks.
In her “Melania” film, she met with Aviva to discuss Keith’s captivity and helped to eventually free him.
“It was emotional meeting,” Trump said of her sitdown with Avivia, and it is captured on camera and available to see by the film, Melania.”
She praised Aviva’s dedication to her husband. “Aviva was a warrior. She is a warrior. She was fighting very hard for Keith. And I know he suffered a lot.” And told Keith: “I’m happy to see you healthy at home with your children, with your grandchildren, with your family.”
Both Keith and Aviva mentioned the film when they thanked Melania Trump for her support.
“I want to thank you for being a caring, compassionate person and for supporting and helping Aviva,” he said.
“I also want to end by congratulating you on the release of your movie. So much looking forward to seeing it, and so grateful for you deciding to have Aviva be a part of your movie. Thank you.”
Aviva added in her thanks: “I knew how important it was for you to go back home and talk to President Trump and sharing your feelings. So I want to thank you for that, and I want to thank you for putting me in your special Melania film.”
The first lady denied the event was a business promotion when pressed by a reporter.
“This is not promotion,” she said. “We are here celebrating the release of the hostages of Aviva and Keith. They were in Washington, DC, and they called me. They called me. They said they would like to come over to thank me and to give hugs, and that’s why we’re doing it. It’s nothing to do with promotion.”
