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The largest city by population in every state

people crowd city times square new york
Crowds in New York City, the largest city in the US.

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

  • The 2020 US Census determined the largest city in every state.
  • New York City is the biggest US city, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago.
  • Some states' most populous cities only have tens of thousands of residents.

Conducted every 10 years, the United States census counts every person living in the US and collects statistics such as age, sex, and household makeup.

A city's population, along with other demographic data, is a key factor in determining its allocations for federal and state funding.

According to 2020 census data, some states' most populous cities only have tens of thousands of residents, while others, like New York City, have more than 8 million.

Take a look at the largest city in every state.

ALABAMA: Birmingham
Aerial view of Birmingham, Alabama.
Birmingham, Alabama.

Isabella Pino/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Population: 200,733

ALASKA: Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska.

Rocky Grimes/Shutterstock

Population: 291,247

ARIZONA: Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona.
Phoenix, Arizona.

Shutterstock

Population: 1,608,139

ARKANSAS: Little Rock
A bridge across a river in Little Rock.
Little Rock, Arkansas.

Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

Population: 202,591

CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Population: 3,898,747

COLORADO: Denver
Nighttime skyline of Denver, Colorado
Denver's forthcoming "Benefit Recovery Fund," a permanent "wage-replacement" program for undocumented workers, is the first of its kind in the country.

Jon Paciaroni/Getty Images

Population: 715,522

CONNECTICUT: Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 148,654

DELAWARE: Wilmington
Buildings and trees reflected on water.
Wilmington, Delaware.

Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images

Population: 70,898

FLORIDA: Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Population: 949,611

GEORGIA: Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia.

ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Population: 498,715

HAWAII: Honolulu
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii.

7maru/Shutterstock

Population: 350,964

IDAHO: Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho.

Charles Knowles/Shutterstock

Population: 235,684

ILLINOIS: Chicago
Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois.

Bob Krist/Getty Images

Population: 2,746,388

INDIANA: Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis, Indiana.

alexeys/Shutterstock

Population: 887,642

IOWA: Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa.
Des Moines, Iowa.

Shutterstock

Population: 214,133

KANSAS: Wichita
Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita, Kansas.

Ricardo Reitmeyer/Shutterstock

Population: 397,532

KENTUCKY: Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky.
Louisville, Kentucky.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 246,161

LOUISIANA: New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana.

John Coletti/Getty Images

Population: 383,997

MAINE: Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 68,408

MARYLAND: Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland.
Baltimore, Maryland.

David Shvartsman/Getty Images

Population: 585,708

MASSACHUSETTS: Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 675,647

MICHIGAN: Detroit
detroit michigan 2017
Detroit, Michigan.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 639,111

MINNESOTA: Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 429,954

MISSISSIPPI: Jackson
An aerial view of downtown Jackson, with the Mississippi state capitol in the center.
Jackson, Mississippi.

Getty Images

Population: 153,701

MISSOURI: Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri.

Edwin Remsberg/Getty Images

Population: 508,090

MONTANA: Billings
Billings, Montana.
Billings, Montana.

trekandshoot/Shutterstock

Population: 117,116

NEBRASKA: Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska.
Omaha, Nebraska.

Shutterstock

Population: 486,051

NEVADA: Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kobby Dagan/Shutterstock

Population: 641,903

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire.
Manchester, New Hampshire.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 115,644

NEW JERSEY: Newark
Newark, New Jersey.
Newark, New Jersey.

EQRoy/Shutterstock

Population: 311,549

NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Albuquerque, New Mexico.

turtix/Shutterstock

Population: 564,559

NEW YORK: New York City
Manhattan skyline from New Jersey at sunset, New York
New York City.

Getty Images

Population: 8,804,190

NORTH CAROLINA: Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlotte, North Carolina.

digidreamgrafix/Shutterstock

Population: 874,579

NORTH DAKOTA: Fargo
The Fargo Theatre art deco movie theater downtown Fargo North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota.

David Harmantas/Shutterstock

Population: 125,990

OHIO: Columbus
Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus, Ohio.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 905,748

OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma City
The skyline of Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Marcus Elwell/Getty Images

Population: 681,054

OREGON: Portland
Colorful houses in Portland, Oregon.
Portland, Oregon.

pikappa51/Shutterstock

Population: 652,503

PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pabkov/Shutterstock

Population: 1,603,797

RHODE ISLAND: Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island.

Shutterstock

Population: 190,934

SOUTH CAROLINA: Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina.
Charleston, South Carolina.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 150,227

SOUTH DAKOTA: Sioux Falls
A river with buildings either side.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Population: 192,517

TENNESSEE: Nashville
Nashville Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee.

f11photo/Shutterstock

Population: 689,447

TEXAS: Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas.

Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock

Population: 2,304,580

UTAH: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Salt Lake City, Utah.

Darwin Fan/Getty Images

Population: 199,723

VERMONT: Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont.

Shutterstock

Population: 44,743

VIRGINIA: Virginia Beach
virginia beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Joanna Will/Shutterstock

Population: 459,470

WASHINGTON: Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Population: 737,015

WEST VIRGINIA: Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia.
Charleston, West Virginia.

Jerry Pennington/Shutterstock

Population: 48,864

WISCONSIN: Milwaukee
milwaukee wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

Population: 577,222

WYOMING: Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming's state capitol building
Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

Population: 65,132

Read the original article on Business Insider

  •  

Golden domes, historic statues, and nods to state flags: Photos show what the capitol looks like in every state

Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford.
The Connecticut state capitol.

Faina Gurevich/Shutterstock

  • Every US state has a capitol that houses its state legislature.
  • Many state capitols are domed buildings similar to the US Capitol, but others are more unique.
  • Maryland's State House is the oldest capitol in continuous legislative use in the US.

A state's capitol can tell you a lot about its history.

State capitols house each state's legislative branch of government, executive offices, and other administrative and ceremonial spaces. While their function may be the same across all 50 states, their architectural designs vary.

Many state capitols feature references to their locations, like the Kansas State Capitol is topped by Ad Astra, a statue representing a Kansa (Kaw) warrior, while the New Hampshire State House, built largely from locally quarried granite, nods to the state's "Granite State" identity.

Some buildings date back to the founding of the United States. Maryland's State House in Annapolis, completed in 1779, is the oldest one in continuous use as a legislative center.

Every capitol has a unique look and distinct origin. Here's what the capitol looks like in every state.

Montgomery, Alabama
alabama capitol building
UNITED STATES - MARCH 15: Capitol building, Montgomery, Alabama

Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Alabama's capitol served as the first capital of the Confederacy, and there's a brass star on one of the porticos marking the spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as its president, according to the Alabama Historical Commission.

The building that stands today was constructed in 1851, after a fire burned down the original building in 1849, according to the Alabama Historical Commission.

One of the more famous parts of the capitol grounds is the Avenue of Flags. It has the flag of every state, plus a native rock from each state at the base of its flag. It was dedicated in 1968, according to Exploring Montgomery.

Juneau, Alaska
Alaska's capitol in Juneau.
Alaska's capitol in Juneau.

Leamus/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The Alaska State Capitol, completed in 1931, doesn't look much different from any other office building in Juneau, save for the marble columns. According to Alaska's official website, it is one of the few state capitols that do not feature a dome.

As The New York Times reported in 1981, neither the building nor the location was popular with locals — both were chosen because of cost concerns shaping both construction and relocations. Voters approved a measure in the 1970s to move the capitol, but the effort ultimately failed.

As recently as 2022, Alaskan senators sponsored a bill to move the capital, this time to Willow, reported Alaska Public Media, but for now, Juneau remains the Last Frontier's capital city.

Phoenix, Arizona
arizona capitol building
PHOENIX ARIZONA, Replica of Liberty Bell in front of Arizona State Capitol Building at sunrise.

Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Arizona's capitol was dedicated in 1901. It stopped being the home of the legislative branches of government in 1960, and by 1978, all government officials had been moved to other buildings nearby in an area called the Capitol Complex.

The original building was then officially converted into a museum open to the public.

Little Rock, Arkansas
arkansas capitol building
Arkansas State Capitol building front entrance in Little Rock.

Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Arkansas' capitol took 16 years to complete. Construction lasted from 1899 to 1915, and the building was originally designed by architect George R. Mann, with later revisions by Cass Gilbert, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

This building replaced the State House, which is now the Old State House Museum, according to Arkansas Heritage.

Sacramento, California
california capitol building
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 9: The California state Capitol building is shown October 9, 2003 in downtown Sacramento, California. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won in his bid to replace California Gov. Gray Davis, who was recalled in a special election October 7.

David Paul Morris/Getty Images

The building was constructed between 1860 and 1874, and designed by Reuben S. Clark. It has been listed as a California Historical Landmark since 1974, according to the Historic State Capitol Commission.

Its design was based on the US Capitol in Washington, DC, among other well-known American buildings, according to the State of California Capitol Museum.

The California State Capitol is located inside the 40-acre Capitol Park, which contains trees from around the world, a World Peace Rose Garden, and the Civil War Memorial Grove.

Denver, Colorado
Colorado's capitol in Denver.
Colorado's capitol in Denver.

4nadia/Getty Images/iStock

The Colorado Capitol, which was completed in 1901, was also designed to look like the US Capitol, but with a Colorado twist: The dome is covered in real gold leaf donated by gold miners to reference the Colorado Gold Rush from 1858 to 1861, according to the Colorado General Assembly.

Hartford, Connecticut
connecticut capitol building
Connecticut State Capitol. The building houses the Connecticut General Assembly; the upper house, the State Senate, and lower house, the House of Representatives, as well as the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Rolf Schulten/ullstein bild/Getty Images

The current Connecticut State Capitol is actually the third capitol the state has had since the American Revolution. This one, designed by Richard M. Upjohn, opened in 1879, according to Connecticut's official state website.

The golden dome is surrounded by six pairs of statues representing agriculture, commerce, education and law, force and war, science and justice, and music, according to the State Capitol Preservation & Restoration Commission.

Dover, Delaware
delaware capitol building
The Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware, USA, circa 1960.

Harvey Meston/Archive Photos/Getty Images

The Delaware Legislative Hall was dedicated in 1933 and replaced the Old State House, which is opposite the Hall on the capitol mall. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style by E. William Martin, according to Delaware's official state website.

Washington, DC
us capitol building
WASHINGTON - JUNE 5: The U.S. Capitol is shown June 5, 2003 in Washington, DC. Both houses of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives meet in the Capitol.

Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images

The United States Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in DC. It was in construction for decades, partially destroyed in 1814, and then finally finished in 1829, according to Architect of the Capitol. The famous, gigantic dome was later added during an expansive addition in 1855, designed by Thomas U. Walter.

Atop the dome sits the "Statue of Freedom," a 19-foot statue of a woman wearing a battle helmet, holding a sheathed sword in one hand, and a laurel wreath and shield in the other. She's been there since 1863, according to Architect of the Capitol.

Tallahassee, Florida
florida capitol building
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: A view of the Florida State Capitol building on November 10, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Three close midtern election races for governor, senator, and agriculture commissioner are expected to be recounted in Florida.

Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

The current capitol, also called the New Capitol, is located directly in front of the original — together, they form the Capitol Complex. The New Capitol was built in 1977 by architect Edward Durell Stone and the firm of Reynolds, Smith, and Hills, according to the Florida Capitol website.

The website reports the building was designed in an "international style to reflect a modern Florida," and includes a 22-story central tower.

The Old Capitol still stands, and it was restored to its original 1902 glory in the '80s. Currently, the building is the Florida Historic Capitol Museum.

Atlanta, Georgia
georgia state capitol
Sunlight gleams on the golden dome of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kevin Fleming/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

Georgia's capitol was finished in 1889 and designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke and Franklin P. Burnham, according to the city of Atlanta's website. It sits on the site of the former Atlanta City Hall/Fulton County Courthouse, which was there from 1854 to 1994.

According to the city, it's one of 43 National Historic Landmarks in the state.

Honolulu, Hawaii
hawaii capitol building
Hawaii State Capitol. The Capitol building houses the Hawaii State Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governo

Rolf Schulten/ullstein bild/Getty Images

At the dedication of the Hawaiian capitol in 1969, then-Governor John A. Burns explained the design of the building, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.

"In this great State Capitol there are no doors at the grand entrances which open toward the mountains and toward the sea," he said. "There is no roof or dome to separate its vast inner court from the heavens and from the same eternal stars which guided the first voyagers to the primeval beauty of these shores."

The building is also surrounded by a reflecting pool meant to symbolize the Pacific Ocean, which surrounds the chain of 137 recognized islands that make up Hawaii, according to the State of Hawaii.

Boise, Idaho
idaho state capitol building
The Idaho State Capitol building in Boise home of the government of the state of Idaho

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Idaho's capitol was designed by architects J.E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel, and was constructed between 1905 and 1920. According to Idaho's Capitol Commission, it's the only capitol in the US that is heated by geothermal water. It comes from a spring 3,000 feet underground.

Springfield, Illinois
illinois state capitol
SPRINGFIELD, IL - APRIL 9: The Illinois State Capitol building stands among empty streets in Springfield, Illinois on April 9, 2020

Daniel Acker for The Washington Post/Getty Images

According to a pamphlet by the Illinois Secretary of State's office, the current capitol (the state's sixth) was completed in 1888, 20 years after crews broke ground. At the time of its construction, the limestone dome was illuminated by 144 gas jets. However, the carbon emitted by those jets eventually turned the dome black.

It took 100 years, but it was finally cleaned in 1986.

Indianapolis, Indiana
indiana capitol building
State capitol building in downtown Indianapolis Indiana on a sunny spring morning, Indianapolis is the capital city of Indiana and is located in the center of the state with the capitol building located downtown.

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

According to the Indiana Department of Administration, Indiana's capitol was completed in 1888, and is home to all executive offices, the Indiana State Senate, the Indiana House of Representatives, and the Indiana State Supreme Court, among others. It was constructed with Indiana limestone.

Des Moines, Iowa
iowa capitol building
UNITED STATES - AUGUST 28: Capitol building, Des Moines, Iowa

Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

The large golden dome is 23 carats, and the entire building is 275 feet tall, according to a visitor's guide. It's been re-gilded four times since its construction in 1886.

Overall, Iowa's capitol has a total of five domes, making it the only capitol in the US with five.

Topeka, Kansas
kansas capitol building
State Capitol of Kansas, Topeka

Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Kansas' capitol dome is topped with a statue called "Ad astra" (Latin for "to the stars"), which is part of the state's motto, "ad astra per aspera" ("to the stars through difficulties"), according to the Kansas Historical Society.

The statue itself is a bronze depiction of a warrior from the Kansa tribe (also known as the Kaw Nation or Kanza), who call Kansas home and gave the state its name.

The entire building took 37 years to construct, also according to the Kansas Historical Society, from 1866 to 1903. 

Frankfort, Kentucky
kentucky capitol building
FRANKFORT, KY - APRIL 2: Thousands of public school teachers and their supporters protest against a pension reform bill at the Kentucky State Capitol April 2, 2018 in Frankfort, Kentucky. The teachers are calling for higher wages and are demanding that Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin veto a bill that overhauls their pension plan.

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Kentucky's capitol was designed by Frank Mills Andrews, according to Kentucky's official state website. There are also statues lining the front portico that represent Kentucky, the central figure, with Progress, History, Plenty, Law, Art, and Labor as her "attendants," according to the state website.

The current building is the fourth capitol in the state, and it was completed in 1910.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
louisiana capitol building
The capitol of Louisiana, seat of government, is a building of 34 floors and 135 meters high, which makes it the highest capitol of the United States. It is also the highest building of Louisiana. Its style is connected with that of the old New York skyscrapers. This new capitol was built between 1930 and 1932.

David LEFRANC/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

The Louisiana Capitol is just one of nine capitols in the US that doesn't feature a dome — and at 450 feet tall (or 34 floors), it's also the tallest capitol in the country, according to Louisiana's House of Representatives.

It was dedicated in 1932, without the person who had spearheaded the effort to build it, Senator Huey P. Long, a controversial figure in Louisiana's history, as reported by Encyclopedia Britannica.

Augusta, Maine
maine capitol buildings
Staff photo by Joe Phelan -- For slide show about the Statehouse in Augusta.

Joe Phelan/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

The capital of Maine was originally Portland when the state broke away from Massachusetts in 1820. But when Mainers asked for a more centrally located capital city, Augusta was chosen in 1827, according to the Maine State Legislature. The building was completed by 1832.

The State House's dome is topped with a female figure of Wisdom, which was designed by sculptor W. Clark Noble of Gardiner, a town 6 miles from Augusta.

Annapolis, Maryland
maryland capitol building
Maryland State House, state capitol building, Annapolis, Maryland, exterior view.

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Maryland's State House is the oldest capitol in continuous legislative use in the US, built in 1779, according to its official website. It's also the only state capitol to have once served as the US capitol when the Continental Congress met there from 1783 to 1784, according to the website.

Boston, Massachusetts
massachusetts state house
The Old State House for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State Capitol Building, Boston, Mass.

Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The Massachusetts State House, built in 1789, originally had a wooden dome, but Paul Revere's own company was responsible for covering it in copper in 1802, CBS News reported.

And the land it was built on? It used to be owned by none other than John Hancock, who was Massachusetts' first elected governor.

Lansing, Michigan
michigan state capitol
August 1970. Lansing, Michigan. Exterior view of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing.

Bettman/Getty Images

The floors of Michigan's capitol, which was dedicated in 1879, are made of limestone and have visible fossils in them, as you can see on the capitol's official website.

St. Paul, Minnesota
minnesota capitol building
ST. PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 15: Minnesota State Capitol Building in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 15, 2018.

Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

According to Explore Minnesota, the state's capitol is the second-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, only behind St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Architect Cass Gilbert insisted on using Georgia marble for the dome, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. Some were critical of using out-of-state materials, so as a compromise, the contractor leased the quarry in Georgia and imported the rough marble so Minnesotans could do the work in-state.

It took nine years, but was completed in 1905.

Jackson, Mississippi
mississippi capitol building
Protesters (L) gather outside the Mississippi State Capitol building during the state legislature's historic vote to change the Mississippi flag in Jackson, Mississippi on June 28, 2020. - Lawmakers in Mississippi voted on June 28 to remove the Confederate battle standard from the state flag, after nationwide protests drew renewed attention to symbols of the United States' racist past.

RORY DOYLE/AFP/Getty Images

Designed by architect Theodore Link and constructed between 1901 and 1903, Mississippi's state capitol was built on the site of an old state penitentiary, according to the state capitol's official website. The building spans 171,000 square feet and features 4,750 original electric light fixtures, as well as an 8-foot statue of an eagle on the top of its dome.

Jefferson City, Missouri
GettyImages 515395544
8/31/1970- Jefferson City, MO- ORIGINAL CAPTION READS: Exterior views of the Missouri State Capitol building, include the surrounding trees and lawn.

Bettman/Getty Images

Missouri's state capitol was completed in 1917, according to its official website. Ceres, the goddess of grain, sits at the top of its dome.

In addition to Missouri's state legislature, the 500,000-square-foot building houses the Missouri State Museum with exhibits about the state's history and natural resources.

Helena, Montana
montana state capitol
Montana State Capitol building Helena Montana

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The main building of Montana's state capitol was completed in 1902, and its two wings were added in 1911 and 1912, according to the Montana Historical Society. Inside, the building features works of art such as the mural "Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross' Hole," painted by Charles M. Russell in 1912.

Lincoln, Nebraska
nebraska capitol building
tate capitol building in Lincoln Nebraska on a sunny spring day and emphasizing the building’s tall central tower and dome, Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, is located in the southeastern part of the state along Interstate-80. The state legislature in Nebraska is the only unicameral legislature among all of the states.

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Nebraska's state capitol was designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and completed in 1932, according to its official website. The 400-foot tower is topped with a 19-foot bronze statue called "The Sower."

It is the only state legislature to be unicameral, meaning it only has one chamber.

Carson City, Nevada
nevada state capitol
State Capitol of Nevada, Carson City

Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Nevada's state capitol was built from 1870 to 1871 out of sandstone sourced from a quarry belonging to Abe Curry, the founder of Carson City, according to Travel Nevada. It features a silver-colored dome, a nod to Nevada's nickname as "the silver state."

Concord, New Hampshire
new hampshire capitol
State Capitol of New Hampshire, Concord

Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The New Hampshire State House was constructed between 1816 and 1819 with locally sourced granite from Rattlesnake Hill in Concord, according to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

In 1818, a wooden sculpture of an eagle painted with gold was installed on top of the capitol dome. It was replaced with a copper replica in 1957, but the original sculpture can be viewed on display inside the capitol, according to EverGreene, the architecture firm that restored the State House's gold-plated dome.

Trenton, New Jersey
new jersey capitol building
TRENTON, NJ - JUNE 24: New Jersey State Capitol Building, New Jersey Flags Fly at Half Staff in Honor of Actor James Gandolfini on June 24, 2013 in Trenton, New Jersey.Gandolfini passed away on June 19, 2013 at the age of 51 while on vacation in Rome, Italy.

Bobby Bank/WireImage/Getty Images

After Maryland, New Jersey State House is the second-oldest capitol still in use, completed in 1792, according to the state of New Jersey's official website. Much of the original building, designed by architect Jonathan Doane, was destroyed in a fire in 1885.

Architect Lewis Broome restored the capitol and added a cast-iron dome plated with copper and gold and featuring the Latin phrase "Fiat Justitia Ruat Coelum," meaning  "There must be justice even though the heavens fall."

Santa Fe, New Mexico
new mexico capitol building
SANTA FE, NM - FEBRUARY 10, 2012: The New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, known as the Roundhouse, is the only round capitol building in the U.S.

Robert Alexander/Archive Photos/Getty Images

New Mexico's capitol, known as the Roundhouse, is the only round capitol in the US, according to Santa Fe's official tourist website. Architect Willard C. Kruger modeled the design after the Zia sun symbol, which he also incorporated into the capitol rotunda skylight. The symbol is also part of New Mexico's state flag.

Albany, New York
new york state capitol building
ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2018/10/09: New York State Capitol Building.

John Greim/LightRocket/Getty Images

When New York's state capitol in Albany was finally finished after 32 years in 1899, it was at a cost of $25 million, making it one of the most expensive government projects in the US. In 2013, The New York Times reported the figure was equivalent to more than half a billion dollars today.

Inside the granite building, visitors can find 25 murals by William deLeftwich Dodge in the Governor's Reception Room.

Raleigh, North Carolina
The capitol building in Raleigh, North Carolina
Law enforcement stand guard outside of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 17, 2021, during a nationwide protest called by anti-government and far-right groups supporting US President Donald Trump and his claim of electoral fraud in the November 3 presidential election. - The FBI warned authorities in all 50 states to prepare for armed protests at state capitals in the days leading up to the January 20 presidential inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images

Completed in 1840, North Carolina's 3-story capitol includes a copper dome, according to the National Park Service.

Bismarck, North Dakota
north dakota capitol building
Photo taken August 18, 2013 shows the state Capitol building of North Dakota at Bismarck

KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

North Dakota's state capitol is the tallest building in the state at 241 feet and 8 inches tall, according to the official government website. The Art-Deco structure is nicknamed the "Skyscraper on the Prairie," according to the Society of Architecture Historians.

Columbus, Ohio
ohio capitol building
Aerial of Capitol Building, Downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA

Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Construction of the Ohio Statehouse took over 20 years, from 1839 to 1861, according to its official website. Much of the work was done by prisoners at Ohio Penitentiary, some of whom left graffiti on the walls that was uncovered during restoration work, the website says. Built in the Greek-Revival architecture style out of Columbus limestone, the Statehouse is a designated National Historic Landmark.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
oklahoma capitol building
The Oklahoma State Capitol building was built in 1917. The beautiful dome was added in recent years. When the state erected the building it lacked the funding to build the planned dome, and therefore it went without for decades. Oklahoma City has been the state capital since 1910; Guthrie was the capital of Oklahoma from 1890 to 1910.

Jordan McAlister/Getty Images

Built in 1917, the dome on Oklahoma's capitol was added more recently, in 2002, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society — it was left out of the original construction due to costs. The grounds of Oklahoma's capitol also had active oil rigs until 1986. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Salem, Oregon
Oregon's state capitol building in Salem.
Oregon's state capitol building in Salem.

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Oregon's Art Deco capitol is made of white Vermont marble with a gold statue of an "Oregon Pioneer" atop the dome, according to the capitol's official website. In-person guided tours are paused due to construction.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
pennsylvania capitol building
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES - 2015/10/06: Pennsylvania State capitol building

John Greim/LightRocket/Getty Images

Pennsylvania's capitol, designed by architect Joseph Huston, cost $13 million to build when it was completed in 1906, which would be over $403 million today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The building's 272-foot dome is decorated with green glazed terra cotta tile, according to the capitol's official website.

Providence, Rhode Island
rhode island capitol building
Rhode Island, Providence, State House, State Capitol.

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The Rhode Island State House, built between 1895 and 1904, features the fourth-largest freestanding marble dome in the world, according to the Rhode Island Restoration Committee's official website. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970.

Columbia, South Carolina
south carolina capitol building
An exterior view of the South Carolina State House, Columbia - construction work first began in 1851 and was completed in 1907, it was designated a national historic landmark in 1976 for its significance in the post-civil war reconstruction era.

Epics/Getty Images

The construction of the South Carolina State House began in 1854, but halted due to the Civil War. The building still features cannonball marks from when the Union army captured Columbia in 1865, according to Discover South Carolina. The State House was finally completed in 1903, and it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976, according to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

A portrait of state senator Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in the 2015 shooting at Charleston's Mother Emanuel AME Church, hangs in the Senate Gallery.

Pierre, South Dakota
south dakota
State capitol building in downtown Pierre in central South Dakota, The state capital city of South Dakota is Pierre in the center of the state on the shores of the Missouri River with the capitol building located downtown in this small city of about 14,000 people.

Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

South Dakota's state capitol was constructed between 1905 and 1910, not long after South Dakota became a US state in 1889, according to the South Dakota Bureau of Administration. An annex was added in 1932. The Neoclassical building features scagliola plaster columns, war memorials, and stained-glass windows, according to Travel South Dakota.

Nashville, Tennessee
tennessee capitol building
NASHVILLE - MAY 25: Tennessee State Capitol Building, as photographed from The Rivers Of Tennessee Fountain grounds at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee on May 25, 2016. (

Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The Tennessee State Capitol opened in 1859. The architect, William Strickland, died during its construction in 1854 and was buried on the capitol grounds along with President James K. Polk and first lady Sarah Childress Polk, according to the Tennessee State Museum.

Austin, Texas
texas capitol building
The Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas

James Leynse/Corbis/Getty Images

Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol dome is topped with a statue of Libertas, the goddess of liberty, according to the official website for the Texas House of Representatives. It stands 14 feet taller than the US Capitol.

Salt Lake City, Utah
utah capitol building
The Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City.

Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Utah's State Capitol was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting and was completed in 1916, according to its official website. The rotunda features bronze and marble statues of Native American leaders, LDS pioneers, and US presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, according to its website.

Montpelier, Vermont
vermont capitol building
Vermont capitol building in Montpelier.

MyLoupe/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The Vermont State House, designed in the Greek Revival architecture style, dates back to 1857, according to the National Park Service. A statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, adorns the top of the dome.

Richmond, Virginia
virginia capitol building
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 20: Thousands of gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square at the State Capitol building January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a 'red flag' law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat. While event organizers have asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other extremist groups from across the country plan to attend the rally and show their support for gun rights.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Thomas Jefferson designed Virginia's state capitol to look like the ancient Roman temple of Maison Carée, according to the Virginia General Assembly's official website. The building also features a bronze statue of Jefferson, who is depicted holding the capitol's architectural blueprints.

Olympia, Washington
washington state capitol
Washington State Capitol Legislative Building and blooming cherry trees in Olympia, Washington.

Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Washington State Legislative Building features the tallest freestanding masonry dome in North America at 287 feet, according to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. Designed by Walter Wilder and Harry White, it was completed in 1928.

Charleston, West Virginia
west virginia capitol building
CHARLESTON, WV -JUNE 26: The State Capitol building in Charleston is actually taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. -Charleston is the destination for the traveler who enjoys food, music, nature and rural culture in a mid-size city.

Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images

West Virginia's capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, took eight years and almost $10 million to construct before its completion in 1932, according to its official website. The dome stands at 293 feet tall — 5 feet higher than the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Madison, Wisconsin
wisconsin state capitol
MADISON, WI - MARCH 12: Thousands of demonstrators protest outside the Wisconsin State Capitol March 12, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. Organizers were expecting 200 thousand participants to attend the rally to voice their opposition to Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill which essentially eliminated collective bargaining rights for state workers.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Wisconsin's state capitol features the only granite dome in the US, according to Travel Wisconsin. On top of the dome, a gilded bronze statue by Daniel Chester French is aptly named "Wisconsin."

Cheyenne, Wyoming
wyoming state capitol building
386423 02: The Wyoming State Capitol building is seen March 6, 2001 in Cheyenne, Wy. Wyoming lawmakers passed the Insurance Coverage for Diabetes Act which requires health policies to cover diabetes supplies, equipment and education.

Michael Smith/Newsmakers/Getty Images

Wyoming's state capitol, constructed between 1886 and 1890, was built in the Renaissance Revival architecture style, according to the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. It is one of 20 state capitols designated as a National Historic Landmark, according to the National Park Service.

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  •  

What we know about the secret White House bunker — and the 'massive' military complex beneath Trump's new ballroom

The Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.
Inside the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

The White House/Getty Images

  • The Presidential Emergency Operations Center was first built for FDR during World War II in 1942.
  • The PEOC served as a command center in the aftermath of September 11.
  • Trump confirmed the construction of a new military complex beneath the planned White House ballroom.

When people see the White House for the first time in person, they often remark that it looks small from the outside.

Matt Costello, chief education officer and director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, told Business Insider that appearances can be deceiving.

"There's a lot more to the White House than meets the eye," he said. "It has six floors, about 55,000 square feet. There are two sub-basements underneath the house that were part of the Truman renovation. And then, of course, you've got the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. So there's a bigger apparatus, so to speak, for the president and their safety and security than you might expect when you first see it."

The existence of a secure facility beneath the White House, known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, the PEOC, or simply the "White House bunker," is something of an open secret, inspiring portrayals in film and TV such as "White House Down" and "24." However, details about its protective and operational capabilities remain classified.

The PEOC has undergone various expansions and transformations through different White House renovations, including the ongoing construction of President Donald Trump's new ballroom where the East Wing once stood.

"I would imagine, like many White House spaces, it's evolved and changed, and it's been updated to have the most advanced telecommunication systems, secure lines, everything that a president or vice president or first family or Cabinet members might need in the event of some kind of national catastrophe or emergency," Costello said. "It is considered the safest place to go on the White House grounds."

Here's what we do know about the PEOC.

The first iteration of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center was built in 1942 to protect President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.
FDR during World War II.
From the Oval Office of the White House, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks to the world on February 23, 1942, over one of the most elaborate radio hookups ever prepared for a "fireside chat." In the speech, he warns that the United States, scorning a "turtle policy" of "not sticking our necks out, will carry the war to the enemy." Here, the President is shown as he points to a map to emphasize a point.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, a temporary bomb shelter was built in the Treasury Department in 1941.

When Roosevelt expanded the East Wing and added a second story in 1942, a new presidential bomb shelter was built beneath it. It featured a bedroom and bathroom, as well as ventilation masks, food, and communications equipment, all fortified behind concrete walls.

"The best time to construct something underground is when you're building something above ground, especially when it comes to the White House," Costello said.

During these White House renovations, Roosevelt also converted a cloakroom in the East Wing into a movie theater.

The bunker was expanded as part of President Harry Truman's extensive White House renovations from 1948 to 1952.
The White House during the Truman renovation.
Several men pose amid partially demolished walls, rubble and steel girders in the lower corridor of the White House, photographed during President Truman's White House Reconstruction, Washington, District of Columbia, February 14, 1950.

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The four-year, $5.7 million renovation was required to reinforce the entire White House structure, which had begun to sag into the ground. The Trumans temporarily moved to Blair House as workers hollowed out the White House.

"When they do the Truman renovation, where they essentially gut the inside of the house and then rebuild it from the inside out with concrete and steel, they really are fortifying the White House to serve as a bomb shelter," Costello said.

As the world entered the age of nuclear weapons, the PEOC was also expanded and updated during this renovation.

"As there are these wider changes around the world, they impact how presidential security is revisited, reassessed, and then adapted as needed," Costello said.

The PEOC largely remained a theoretical precaution until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Vice President Dick Cheney and senior staff responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.
Vice President Dick Cheney and senior staff responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

National Archives

When the first plane hit, Cheney turned on the news in his office at the White House. After the second plane hit, his lead Secret Service agent burst in to escort him to the PEOC, Cheney said in an interview with the American Enterprise Institute in 2011.

Cheney said the Secret Service agent "put one hand on the back of my belt, one hand on my shoulder," and "literally propelled me out of my office."

Cheney was joined in the PEOC by staff members, including National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and Presidential Counselor Karen Hughes. He advised President George W. Bush, who was in Florida at the time, not to return to Washington, DC, marking the first time in US history that the continuity of government operations plan was implemented.

The PEOC served as a command center in the aftermath of the attacks.
Vice President Dick Cheney with senior staff in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.
Vice President Dick Cheney with senior staff in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.

National Archives

Rare photos of the PEOC on September 11 were released by the National Archives in 2014 as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, offering a glimpse inside the top-secret space.

"As far as I'm aware of, I think those are the only publicly released ones, and they were publicly released because they were forced to be released," Costello said of the images.

The photos showed a conference room with phones, video call capabilities, television screens playing news reports, world clocks, and a map of the United States.

Former first lady Laura Bush wrote about her time in the PEOC on September 11 in her White House memoir, "Spoken from the Heart."
George W. Bush and Laura Bush in the White House bunker.
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush talk with Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice Tuesday, September 11, 2001, in the President's Emergency Operations Center. Photo by Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library/Getty Images

Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library/Getty Images

"I was hustled inside and downstairs through a pair of big steel doors that closed behind me with a loud hiss, forming an airtight seal," she wrote in "Spoken from the Heart" of her experience on September 11.

"I was now in one of the unfinished subterranean hallways underneath the White House, heading for the PEOC, the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, built for President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II. We walked along old tile floors with pipes hanging from the ceiling and all kinds of mechanical equipment."

Upon returning to Washington, DC, on September 11, President George W. Bush was brought to the PEOC.
President George W. Bush in the White House bunker.
After addressing the nation Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush meets with his National Security Council in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center of the White House. Photo by

Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library/Getty Images

Laura Bush wrote in her memoir that George W. Bush arrived at the PEOC at 7:10 p.m. on September 11.

When the Secret Service suggested that she and her husband spend the night in the secure bunker, Laura Bush wrote that they declined because the foldout bed "looked like it had been installed when FDR was president."

In 2020, President Donald Trump was reportedly rushed to the bunker as demonstrators protested the killing of George Floyd outside the White House.
Police outside the White House.
Police officers hold a perimeter near the White House as demonstrators gather to protest the killing of George Floyd on June 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. - Police fired tear gas outside the White House late Sunday as anti-racism protestors again took to the streets to voice fury at police brutality, and major US cities were put under curfew to suppress rioting.With the Trump administration branding instigators of six nights of rioting as domestic terrorists, there were more confrontations between protestors and police and fresh outbreaks of looting. Local US leaders appealed to citizens to give constructive outlet to their rage over the death of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, while night-time curfews were imposed in cities including Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

It was widely reported that Trump was taken to the PEOC as a precaution when protesters breached temporary fences outside the White House. Trump told Fox News Radio that he had visited the bunker to inspect it, not to take shelter there.

"I was there for a tiny, short little period of time," Trump said. "They said it would be a good time to go down and take a look because maybe sometime you're going to need it."

When Trump returned to the White House in 2025, he demolished the East Wing and began building a new ballroom, leaving the future of the PEOC below uncertain.
Donald Trump holds a rendering of the new White House ballroom.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 22, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks holding a photos of the new ballroom during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on October 22, 2025.

Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The White House announced that the new ballroom would measure 90,000 square feet, seat around 1,000 people, and serve as a "much-needed and exquisite addition." Trump and other "patriot donors" will fund the $400 million project, the White House said.

Trump confirmed that a "massive" new military complex was under construction beneath the ballroom after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to halt the project.
White House ballroom renovations.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: Construction cranes are seen, from the Washington Monument, on the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. A federal judge released a revised order on Thursday blocking the Trump administration from above-ground construction work on the proposed White House ballroom. The ruling does make an allowance for above-ground construction in order to cover and protect national security facilities. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's lawsuit alleged that Trump had no legal authority to demolish the East Wing and replace it with a ballroom.

In March, a federal judge's ruling halted above-ground construction until Congress approves the project, but allowed work related to "the safety and security of the White House" to continue.

Trump then confirmed what the lawsuit had alluded to: a new and improved PEOC was in the works.

"The military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed," he told reporters on board Air Force One on March 29.

He added that the ballroom would essentially function as a "shed" for the secure facility below.

"We have bio defense all over," he told reporters on March 31. "We have secure telecommunications and communications all over. We have bomb shelters that we're building. We have a hospital and very major medical facilities that we're building. We have all of these things, so that's called: I'm allowed to continue building as necessary."

A federal appeals court allowed construction to continue temporarily while it reviews the case more closely, with a formal hearing scheduled for June 5.

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F-15E Strike Eagles, deployed during Operation Epic Fury, can fly 2.5 times the speed of sound. Take a closer look.

An F-15E Strike Eagle prepares to land in the Middle East.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft prepares to land at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss

  • The US Air Force deployed F-15E Strike Eagles during Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
  • The fighter jets are designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat in all weather, day or night.
  • Kuwait mistakenly shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles in a "friendly fire" incident, CENTCOM said.

F-15E Strike Eagles, fighter jets designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, are usually a dominating force in the skies.

When three F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury, it brought renewed attention to one of the Air Force's fastest, most versatile aircraft.

Here's a closer look at the F-15E Strike Eagle, an advanced aircraft the US is using to destroy Iran's missile arsenal and drone bases from the skies above Iran.

The F-15E Strike Eagle has been in service in the US Air Force for nearly 40 years.
An F-15E Strike Eagle.
An F-15E Strike Eagle, aircraft assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, takes off from Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 20, 2026. The 40th FLTS conducts developmental flight tests for fighter aircraft, focusing on weapon systems, software upgrades, and avionics.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jasmine Thomas

The first F-15A model flew in 1972, and the first F-15Es were produced in 1988, according to the US Air Force.

It's the fastest crewed aircraft in the US Air Force.
An F-15E Strike Eagle flies through the sky.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing flies during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 20, 2025. This annual exercise is designed to increase the operational proficiency of pilots, aircrew and air defense personnel through realistic, high-tempo air-to-air missions, supporting continued efforts to strengthen partnerships, alliances and combat readiness.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis

The air-to-air and air-to-ground attack aircraft can fly at 1,875 miles per hour, or 2.5 times the speed of sound.

The F-15E Strike Eagle's high thrust-to-weight ratio enables it to accelerate during vertical climb.
An F-15E Strike Eagle.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle turns left in the air during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Marauder Shield 26.1 was focused on enhancing counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities, fighter integration, improving command and control, and fostering closer cooperation between the U.S. and Kuwait, ensuring a more secure and stable region.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust

The high thrust-to-weight ratio also allows the F-15E Strike Eagle to execute tight turns without sacrificing speed. It has two Pratt & Whitney F100 engines, each producing over 23,000 pounds of thrust.

Another distinguishing capability is the plane's head-up display, which projects flight and tactical information directly on the windscreen.
The head-up display on a C-17 Globemaster III.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, operated by the 204th Airlift Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, is captured through the head-up display of another C-17 during a training sortie Dec. 1, 2025, off the coast of Hawaii.The 204th Airlift Squadron operates under the Total Force Initiative, with aircraft crewed and maintained jointly by Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen of the 154th Wing and active-duty Airmen of the 15th Wing.

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier

Pilots can track and attack targets, check the status of weapons, and see other tactical and flight information without taking their eyes off the windscreen.

The fighter jet also includes a low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night (LANTIRN) system.
The underside of an F-15E Strike Eagle.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron takes off from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 27, 2023. F-15 training sorties are conducted by 48th Fighter Wing members to ensure they stay prepared and efficient to provide a strategic force whenever they are called upon for a mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Gibson)

U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Gibson

The LANTIRN system allows the planes to fly in any weather and attack ground targets at low altitudes. The system consists of two pods, a navigation pod and a targeting pod, mounted under the plane.

F-15E Strike Eagles can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.
Loading an AIM-120 missile onto an F-15E Strike Eagle
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Policarpio and Senior Airman Angelo Val, 389th Fighter Generation Squadron load crew members, load an AIM-120 missile onto an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 24, 2025. Weapons load crews work together to ensure munitions are safely loaded and mission ready for F-15E Strike Eagle operations.

Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson/366th Fighter Wing

Its armament includes an internally mounted 20-millimeter gun with 500 rounds of ammunition, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and AIM-120 AMRAAMs, an acronym for the radar-guided Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

The F-15 also regularly carries ground attack weapons like the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, a kit that adapts an unguided munition into a "smart" bomb with fins and GPS guidance.

F-15E Strike Eagles are flown by a pilot and a weapons systems officer.
The cockpit of an F-15E Strike Eagle.
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing fuels an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing during an aerial refueling mission over the North Sea as part of Exercise Point Blank, Feb. 2, 2026. Point Blank is a recurring exercise initiative, designed to increase tactical proficiency of U.S., U.K. Ministry of Defense and other NATO forces.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Martínez Rosiere

The weapon system officer sits directly behind the pilot, and closely manages the plane's sensors and weapons.

Two variants of the F-15 are single-seaters: the F-15A and F-15C.

The planes can fly 2,400 miles without refueling, and can be refueled in flight.
An F-15E Strike Eagle receives in-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle receives in-flight refueling from a 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Ocean Sky, over the Atlantic Ocean, Oct. 15, 2025. The Stratotanker provides air refueling capabilities, enhancing the Air Force's ability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott

F-15E Strike Eagles have a fuel capacity of 35,550 pounds.

The fighter jets can be refueled in flight by KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, which Boeing developed from its "Dash 80" prototype in the 1950s.

KC-135s were also deployed to Israel as part of Operation Epic Fury. One crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, killing six US service members. United States Central Command said the circumstances of the crash were under investigation, but it "was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire."

Each F-15E cost $31.1 million to produce in 1998, according to US Air Force figures. That would be around $62.3 million when adjusted for inflation.
F-15E Strike Eagles at Travis Air Force Base in California.
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron are parked on the flight line during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 3, 2024. During Bamboo Eagle, Air Mobility Command assets supported warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the U.S., along with distributed command and control, agile logistics and tactical air-to-air refueling.

U.S. Air Force photo by Kenneth Abbate

Newer F-15 models cost around $100 million, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The newest version of the aircraft is the F-15EX Eagle II, which features more advanced controls and upgraded engines.

On March 1, Kuwait's air defenses mistakenly shot down three American F-15Es during Operation Epic Fury in what US Central Command described as a "friendly fire incident."
F-15E Strike Eagles in the Middle East.
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft taxi off of the runway after landing at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The U.S. maintains a highly agile fighting force, leveraging the most advanced capabilities to support the long-term security and stability of the region.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jared Brewer

All six crew members ejected safely. The incident is under investigation.

"Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation," CENTCOM said.

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  •  

Photos show every time Melania Trump has appeared at a public event during Donald Trump's second term

Donald Trump and Melania Trump at a White House holiday reception.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump host a holiday reception, Friday, December 12, 2025, at the White House.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

  • First lady Melania Trump is keeping a relatively low profile during Donald Trump's second term.
  • She divides her time between homes in Florida, New York, and DC.
  • The first lady released a documentary, "Melania," in January.

It's a refrain dating back to the first Trump White House: Where's Melania?

First lady Melania Trump, who remained an enigmatic figure during President Donald Trump's first term, has often kept a low profile during his second.

Ahead of the 2025 inauguration, Melania Trump told Fox News that she planned to divide her time between the White House, Trump Tower in New York City, and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

This schedule has, at times, made her an infrequent White House presence. However, the winter has been a busier time for the first lady, between the White House Christmas decorations and the premiere of her documentary, "Melania," in January.

Melania Trump's muted fashion choices could also indicate her desire to remain out of the spotlight. At White House events, she has largely appeared wearing neutral basics in black, beige, cream, and gray. It's a departure from the bold outfits she often chose during Donald Trump's first term.

A spokesperson for the Office of the First Lady declined to comment.

Take a look at the first lady's White House activities and appearances thus far.

January 20, 2025: Melania Trump attended the inauguration.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the 2025 inauguration.
US President Donald Trump (L) and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the Liberty inaugural ball in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump held the Bible as Donald Trump was sworn in for his second non-consecutive term, and the couple danced together at several inaugural balls later that evening.

For the swearing-in ceremony, Melania Trump wore a navy coat and skirt by Adam Lippes, an American designer. She accessorized with a matching wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits.

Her black-and-white inaugural gown was designed by Hervé Pierre.

January 21, 2025: The president and first lady joined Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance at the National Day of Prayer Service.
Donald Trump, Melania Trump, JD Vance, and Usha Vance at the Washington National Cathedral.
U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance with second lady Usha attend the National Day of Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

The service, the last of Donald Trump's inaugural events, was held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

January 24, 2025: Melania Trump and Donald Trump visited California and North Carolina to survey damage caused by natural disasters.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump visit the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a briefing on wildfire damage as they visit the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that was damaged by the Palisades Fire, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 24, 2025.

Leah Millis/REUTERS

Melania Trump joined Donald Trump to visit Los Angeles in the aftermath of multiple wildfires and neighborhoods in North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Together, they met with first responders and residents who had lost their homes and businesses. Melania Trump was photographed hugging and shaking hands with those affected by the natural disasters.

February 22, 2025: Donald Trump and Melania Trump hosted the National Governors Association dinner at the White House.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the National Governors Association dinner at the White House.
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the National Governors Association Evening Dinner and Reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 22, 2025.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump wore a black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo, similar to the outfit she chose for her official White House portrait, while posing for photos with governors from across the US.

Donald Trump thanked Melania Trump in his speech, saying that she "made the evening beautiful."

March 3, 2025: She participated in a roundtable discussion on the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act targeting revenge porn.
Melania Trump at a roundtable discussion on the Take It Down Act.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elliston Berry attend a roundtable discussion on the "Take it Down Act," a legislation against revenge porn, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 3, 2025.

Kent Nishimura/REUTERS

"TAKE IT DOWN" is an acronym for "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks."

The act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes, and requires websites to remove them.

"Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm," Melania Trump said in her opening remarks.

She wore a tan three-piece suit by Ralph Lauren with a black tie.

March 4, 2025: Melania Trump attended Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.
Melania Trump at Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.
First Lady of the U.S. Melania Trump waves on the day of U.S. President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress, in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

The first lady's guests included the families of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was fatally shot during an assassination attempt against Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Laken Riley, who was killed by a man who had entered the US illegally.

Melania Trump wore a gray skirt suit by Dior.

April 1, 2025: She attended the International Women of Courage Awards.
Melania Trump and Marco Rubio at the International Women of Courage Awards.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose with Philippine marine activist Angelique Songco, known as Mama Ranger, an International Women of Courage Award recipient, during a ceremony at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 1, 2025.

Nathan Howard/REUTERS

Melania Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presented awards to several notable women in a ceremony held at the State Department. She wore a leopard-print coat designed by Milly Park.

"These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world," she said in her remarks at the event. "Their journeys remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others, showing that love fuels the call for justice."

April 2, 2025: She spoke at the annual Congressional Club's First Lady's Luncheon.
Melania Trump speaks at the annual Congressional Club's First Lady's Luncheon.
First Lady Melania Trump delivers remarks at the annual Congressional Club's First Lady's Luncheon, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

"Our community flourishes when we unite to uplift our children and equip them to turn dreams into reality," she said in her speech.

April 21, 2025: She appeared alongside Donald Trump at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump at the 2025 White House Easter Egg Roll.
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. first lady Melania Trump attend the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

Ken Cedeno/REUTERS

Melania Trump read the book "Bunny with a Big Heart" to a group of children at the event while wearing a cream Mackage trench coat.

April 25, 2025: Donald Trump and Melania Trump departed the White House together to travel to Pope Francis' funeral.
Donald Trump speaks to the press as Melania Trump stands in the background.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media next to first lady Melania Trump as they depart for Rome, Italy, to attend Pope Francis' funeral, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2025.

Leah Millis/REUTERS

The president and first lady were among several world leaders who attended the late pope's funeral in Vatican City.

May 8, 2025: She hosted an event for military mothers and unveiled a US postage stamp honoring Barbara Bush at the White House.
Melania Trump unveils a postage stamp of Barbara Bush at the White House.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump speaks during an unveiling of a U.S. postage stamp honoring former first lady Barbara Bush, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 8, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

"I applaud Mrs. Bush's mark defending our society's vital need for women across all avenues, whether CEO or homemaker," Melania Trump said at the unveiling. "We have, can, and will build better families and run innovative businesses at the same time, ultimately shaping a brighter future."

She wore a white suit jacket paired with a black pencil skirt.

May 19, 2025: Melania Trump spoke at the signing ceremony for the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act in the Rose Garden.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the Rose Garden.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 19: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the signing ceremony for the TAKE IT DOWN Act in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. The first lady made the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act a priority, traveling to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers and show her support for the legislation, which addresses non-consensual intimate imagery, or "revenge porn," and artificial intelligence deepfakes posted online and to social media.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The bill, which was first presented to Congress in 2024 before Donald Trump took office, received widespread bipartisan support.

"Artificial intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation: sweet, addictive, and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children," Melania Trump said in her remarks at the signing ceremony.

The first lady wore a gray Prada suit for the event.

May 20, 2025: Melania Trump hosted a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event for children in the Kennedy Garden.
Melania Trump hosts an event with children at the White House.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump hosts a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

The first lady greeted the children of White House staffers as they participated in an arts-and-crafts activity.

"It is always special to see children's creativity and spirit on display, especially here at the White House where so many hardworking men and women support the success of our nation every day," she said in a White House statement.

She wore a white Dolce & Gabbana button-down shirt and a patterned skirt by Michael Kors.

May 21, 2025: She spoke at the Senate Spouses Luncheon held at the National Gallery of Art.
Melania Trump at the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art.
Melania Trump at the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art.

@FLOTUS/X

Melania Trump, wearing a white skirt suit, spoke about her Be Best platform, which focuses on children's well-being, and her Fostering the Future initiative, which supports children transitioning out of foster care.

"Together, we will uplift and empower our children, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive," the first lady wrote in a post on X. "Let's continue this vital mission and inspire a brighter future for all!"

June 11, 2025: She accompanied Donald Trump to the opening night of "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend "Les Miserables" opening night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 11, 2025.

Kent Nishimura/REUTERS

Melania Trump wore a black midi dress designed by Bottega Veneta, while Donald Trump wore a black tuxedo.

Second lady Usha Vance and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife Cheryl Hines wore midi dresses similar to Melania Trump's.

June 12, 2025: She greeted attendees at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House.
Melania Trump shakes hands with a woman at the Congressional Picnic.
US President Donald Trump (2L) and US First Lady Melania Trump greet attendees as they arrive at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 12, 2025.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump shook hands and took selfies with members of Congress and their families at the annual White House event. She paired a basic white shirt with vibrant floral pants by Dolce & Gabbana.

June 14, 2025: Melania Trump attended the US Army's 250th anniversary parade alongside Donald Trump.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Army 250th Anniversary Parade.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. Trump's long-held dream of a parade will come true as nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters rumble through the capital in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army.

DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The military parade featured 150 Army vehicles, 50 aircraft, and around 6,600 troops in uniform making their way down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC, to mark the US Army's historic anniversary. June 14 was also Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Melania Trump escorted Donald Trump onstage for his remarks at the event, but did not issue any statement of her own. She wore a pinstriped ivory skirt suit by Adam Lippes.

July 3, 2025: She visited Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, ahead of July Fourth.
First lady Melania Trump me children at Children's National Hospital on July 3, 2025, in Washington, DC.
First lady Melania Trump me children at Children's National Hospital on July 3, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

After arriving at the hospital carrying toys for children, the first lady chatted with patients, took part in July Fourth-themed crafts, and visited the hospital's healing garden, which features a rose bush from the White House.

July 4, 2025: Melania Trump appeared beside her husband at Fourth of July events at the White House.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House on July 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House on July 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Eric Lee/Getty Images

The first couple watched the July Fourth fireworks display from the White House. They also hosted a military family picnic on the South Lawn earlier in the day.

Also that day, Donald Trump signed his tax and spending bill, which he dubbed his "Big Beautiful Bill," after it was passed by the House of Representatives on July 3.

She wore a white shirtdress by Thom Browne.

July 11, 2025: The president and first lady visited central Texas towns devastated by flash flooding.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump visit Kerrville, Texas, after deadly flooding.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump visited Kerrville, Texas, after deadly flooding.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

The first couple visited Texas a week after the Guadalupe River in Kerr County rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes as rain battered the region, leaving more than 130 dead. The Trumps met with families of victims, first responders, and local officials.

"It's a horrible thing, it's a horrible thing," Donald Trump told the press as he departed the White House on July 11. "Nobody can even believe it — that much water that fast."

At a press conference in Texas, Melania Trump said, "My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful young souls — deepest sympathy from all of us to the community, to everybody who lost a loved one. We are grieving with you. Our nation is grieving with you."

July 13, 2025: They attended the FIFA Club World Cup final, which Melania Trump watched from behind a striking pair of Dior sunglasses.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump join FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Leena Al Ashqar react following Chelsea FC victory following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025.
The Trumps joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Leena Al Ashqar at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match.

Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Donald Trump and Melania Trump watched Chelsea defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Donald Trump, who received both cheers and boos at the game, called it "a great match."

Melania Trump watched the game from behind her bright-white Dior sunglasses, which resembled the Vuarnet glasses worn by Sam Altman at Sun Valley just days earlier. She wore them with a black-and-white Michael Kors outfit.

September 4, 2025: Melania Trump attended a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education.
Melania Trump at a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence meeting.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 04: U.S. first lady Melania Trump (C) arrives with (L-R) Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios and Education Secretary Linda McMahon for a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education in the East Room of the White House on September 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. This was the second meeting of the task force since it was created as a part of President Donald Trump's April executive order "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education For American Youth."

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The task force was created in April as part of Donald Trump's executive order, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education For American Youth."

"Our future is no longer science fiction," Melania Trump said at the meeting. "During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children — empowering, but with watchful guidance."

The first lady wore a gray striped suit with a white shirt and belt.

September 4, 2025: After her task force meeting, she joined Donald Trump for a White House dinner with tech and business leaders.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at a White House dinner for tech and business leaders.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at a dinner at the State Dining Room of the White House on September 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted tech and business leaders for dinner after they joined the first lady's meeting of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Task Force at the White House this afternoon.

Brian Snyder/Reuters

The guest list included Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Tim Cook among over a dozen tech and AI executives. Elon Musk was not in attendance, though he sent a representative to the event.

During the dinner, Altman called Donald Trump a "pro-business, pro-innovation president," and Cook thanked the president for "helping companies around the world" and the first lady for "focusing on education."

Melania Trump changed into a black outfit for the gathering.

September 11, 2025: The president and first lady attended a ceremony at the Pentagon on the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump at a ceremony for 9/11.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 11: U.S. President Donald Trump observes a moment of silence with first lady Melania Trump during a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

They observed a moment of silence in memory of those who were killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

September 16, 2025: She joined Donald Trump on a state visit to the UK.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump arrive in the UK for their state visit.
STANSTED, ESSEX - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex. President Trump is in England from Sept. 16-18 on his second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Donald Trump and Melania Trump disembarked from Air Force One at London Stansted Airport and were greeted by British soldiers and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

September 17, 2025: They received a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the State visit by the President of the United States of America at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England.

Zak Hussein - Pool via Samir Hussein/WireImage

A horse-drawn carriage ride transported them to Windsor Castle, where troops were assembled in a Guard of Honor. Afterward, they viewed items from the Royal Collection and toured St George's Chapel.

Melania Trump accessorized her Dior skirt suit with a purple hat that matched Donald Trump's tie.

September 17, 2025: Later that evening, Melania Trump wore a yellow Carolina Herrera gown to a state banquet at St George's Hall.
Melania Trump and Queen Camilla at a state dinner.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Queen Camilla, First Lady Melania Trump, Paula Reynolds, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the State visit by the President of the United States of America at Windsor Castle on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England. President Trump is in England from Sept. 16-18 on his second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Donald Trump was escorted into dinner by King Charles, and Queen Camilla entered with Melania Trump.

September 18, 2025: Charles and Camilla said farewell to Donald Trump and Melania Trump on the final day of their state visit.
Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose with King Charles and Queen Camilla as they bid their farewells at Windsor Castle during the U.S. Presidents state visit, on September 18, 2025 in Windsor, England. Trump next travels to Chequers for a meeting with the prime minister. This is the final day of President Trump's second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term.

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

"He's a great gentleman and a great king," Donald Trump said of Charles after their formal goodbye at Windsor Castle.

September 18, 2025: Melania Trump visited Queen Mary's Dolls' House with Queen Camilla and Frogmore Gardens with Kate Middleton.
Kate Middleton and Melania Trump in Frogmore Gardens.
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Catherine, Princess of Wales (left) and First Lady Melania Trump in Frogmore Gardens during the State visit by the President of the United States of America and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, on September 18, 2025 in Windsor, England.

Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Melania Trump changed from a tan skirt suit to a tan jacket and cream slacks, which were better suited for playing lawn games with children from the Scouts' Squirrels program at Frogmore Gardens.

September 23, 2025: The first lady launched a new project at the United Nations General Assembly.
Melania Trump speaks at the UN.
First Lady Melania Trump speaks during an event tittle "Forms Fostering the Future Together: A Global Coalition" on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2025.

KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images

Back in the US, Melania Trump launched a global coalition called "Fostering the Future Together" dedicated to "enhancing the well-being of children through the promotion of education, innovation, and technology," the White House said.

October 5, 2025: She joined Donald Trump to mark the Navy's 250th anniversary.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump with Navy sailors.
TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump (C-R) and First Lady Melania Trump (C-L) pose as they greet sailors during a visit to the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier which is out at sea near Norfolk, Virginia, October 5, 2025, as part of the US Navy's 250th anniversary celebration, "America's Navy 250: Titans of the Sea - A Salute to the Fleet."

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The president and first lady greeted sailors and observed demonstrations during a visit to the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Virginia.

October 10, 2025: Melania Trump spoke about her connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin that helped reunite displaced children.
Melania Trump speaks at the White House.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: First lady Melania Trump delivers remarks in the Grand Foyer at the White House on October 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. The first lady announced she and Russian President Vladimir Putin have an "open channel of communication" to help reunite Ukrainian children displaced by the Russian-Ukraine war with their families.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Melania Trump wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in August, urging him to end the war in Ukraine to restore the "melodic laughter" of children displaced by the conflict.

In October, she announced that her "open channel of communication" with Putin had helped reunite eight Ukrainian children with their families.

October 30, 2025: The president and first lady handed out candy at the White House for Halloween.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump hand out candy at the White House for Halloween.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 30: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump handout candy to children during the annual Halloween at the White House event on the South Lawn of the White House on October 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. The President and first lady welcomed military, law enforcement, and foster and adoptive families, as well as administration officials and their children, to the annual trick-or-treat celebration on the White House grounds.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Neither dressed up in a Halloween costume — Donald Trump wore one of his signature red hats, and Melania Trump wore a brown coat with orange trim by Marni.

November 13, 2025: Melania Trump launched a new "Fostering the Future" initiative.
President Trump and Melania Trump sign an executive order to strengthen the foster care system, as part of the first lady's "Fostering the Future" initiative in the White House.
President Trump and Melania Trump sign an executive order to strengthen the foster care system, as part of the first lady's "Fostering the Future" initiative in the White House.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

In the East Room of the White House, Trump signed an executive order aimed at strengthening the foster care system as part of Melania Trump's new "Fostering the Future" initiative.

The program, an extension of the first lady's "Be Best" initiative, aims to enhance opportunities for young people in foster care, including connecting them with educational and employment resources.

"This Executive Order, 'Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, ' gives me tremendous pride," Melania Trump wrote on X. "It is both empathetic and strategic. It will certainly be impactful."

November 18, 2025: Melania Trump and the president welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to a state dinner.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump welcomed Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman to a state dinner at the White House.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump welcomed Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman to a state dinner at the White House.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

The couple welcomed the prince, who had met with Trump earlier in the day, to a state dinner at the White House.

The first lady wore a floor-length Elie Saab gown in what The New York Times dubbed "Saudi green," noting it was a similar hue to the green of Saudi Arabia's flag.

November 19, 2025: Usha Vance joined her while visiting military families and schools in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Melania Trump and Usha Vance visit an elementary school.
JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 19: First lady Melania Trump (2nd-R) and second lady Usha Vance (R) stand with students during a visit to DeLalio Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station New River on November 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Trump and Vance are traveling together for the day to visit military families and schools at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Melania Trump and Usha Vance stopped by DeLalio Elementary School on the Marine Corps Air Station New River, part of the Camp Lejeune Community Schools system.

November 24, 2025: Melania Trump welcomed the Official White House Christmas Tree.
Melania Trump receives the Official White House Christmas Tree.
US First Lady Melania Trump welcomes the official 2025 White House Christmas Tree at the White House in Washington, DC on November 24, 2025. The 25-foot concolor fir was grown at Korson's Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, and will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House during the holiday season.

Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

The Official White House Christmas tree, an 18-foot concolor fir from Sidney, Michigan, was displayed in the Blue Room as part of the first lady's White House Christmas decorations.

Melania Trump wore a cream Christian Dior coat with red gloves and Manolo Blahnik heels in holiday plaid.

November 25, 2025: The president and first lady pardoned a turkey in the Rose Garden.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump at the White House turkey pardoning.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble alongside first lady Melania Trump (R) during the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump pardoned Gobble and alternate turkey Waddle, who were both raised in North Carolina and will live out the rest of their lives under the care of the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle. Melania Trump stood beside him in a brown tweed skirt by Ralph Lauren and a matching bomber jacket by Anine Bing.

November 30, 2025: After spending Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump and Melania Trump returned to the White House.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump return to the White House after Thanksgiving.
US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, waves to reporters after landing on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2025. Trump returned to Washington after spending the Thanksgiving holiday at his Palm Beach, Florida resort.

Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

The first lady arrived on the White House lawn in an olive Burberry coat and sunglasses.

December 1, 2025: Melania Trump and Usha Vance made another joint appearance, this time at an American Red Cross holiday event.
Usha Vance and Melania Trump write notes for care packages for deployed service members.
US First Lady Melania Trump (R) and Second Lady Usha Vance write notes to place into a care package for deployed members of the US military during an American Red Cross holiday event with military families at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, December 1, 2025.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump and Usha Vance wrote holiday cards and assembled care packages for deployed US military service members at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

The first lady's wool shirt jacket and turtleneck were both by Ralph Lauren. She also wore brown skinny jeans and knee-high boots by Christian Louboutin.

December 4, 2025: Melania Trump and Donald Trump attended the National Christmas Tree lighting on the White House Ellipse.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump at the National Christmas Tree Lighting.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House Ellipse on December 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The tree is a 32-foot-tall red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia's Highland County. This is the second year in a row that the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have provided the tree.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Melania Trump wore a white Chanel coat as she performed the honors, pressing the button to illuminate the 32-foot-tall red spruce.

December 5, 2025: Melania Trump read the book "How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?" at a Children's National Hospital holiday event.
Melania Trump reads a story to children.
US First Lady Melania Trump reads the book "How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney" during a Children's National Hospital holiday event in Washington, DC on December 5, 2025.

Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

It was a busy day for the first lady. Later that night, she also welcomed singer Andrea Bocelli to the White House and attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

December 7, 2025: The president and first lady walked the red carpet at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 07: President of the United States Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on December 07, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Melania Trump's black Givenchy gown may have been a nod to LVMH, the conglomerate that owns Givenchy as well as Tiffany, which designed the new Kennedy Center medallions awarded to honorees.

December 8, 2025: She was joined by Santa Claus at a Toys for Tots charity drive at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
Melania Trump with Santa Claus in Quantico, Virginia.
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 08: First lady Melania Trump and a person dressed as Santa Claus arrive at Marine Corps Base Quantico on December 08, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. Mrs. Trump is participating in a Toys for Tots Charity Drive with children of service members.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The first lady wore a white coat by Proenza Schouler as she greeted military families and supporters of Toys for Tots.

"This Christmas season, you, your friends, and your families should wish for the ultimate gift — love," she said in her remarks at the event. "After all, love travels further than Santa's sleigh and America's Ospreys."

December 11, 2025: Melania Trump spoke at the Congressional Ball held at the White House.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House.
US First Lady Melania Trump, accompanied by President Donald Trump, delivers remarks during the Congressional Ball in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 11, 2025.

Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Wearing a Dolce & Gabbana suit with a black lace top, Melania Trump thanked legislators for their "overwhelmingly bipartisan support" for the Take It Down Act.

December 12, 2025: The president and first lady hosted a holiday reception at the White House.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at a White House holiday reception.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump host a holiday reception, Friday, December 12, 2025, at the White House.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

Melania Trump wore a white skirt suit, while Donald Trump wore his signature red tie.

December 24, 2025: On Christmas Eve, Donald and Melania Trump called US service members and spoke to children while participating in the NORAD Santa Tracker.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for Christmas.
President Donald Trump, speaks accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, during a NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Tracks Santa Operation call at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Alex Brandon/AP

The president and first lady spent Christmas at Mar-a-Lago, which has often functioned as Donald Trump's "winter White House."

On Christmas Eve, they called US service members to wish them a merry Christmas and fielded calls from children while tracking Santa Claus with the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The first lady wore a black Valentino dress with embroidered sleeves and black Christian Louboutin heels.

December 31, 2025: Melania Trump wore sparkles to Mar-a-Lago's annual New Year's Eve party.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve party.
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a New Year's Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago home on December 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. The president addressed guests and celebrated the arrival of 2026.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Melania Trump's silver sequined dress was designed by The New Arrivals.

January 28, 2026: Melania Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange while promoting her documentary, "Melania."
Melania Trump at the New York Stock Exchange.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: First lady Melania Trump appears at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) where she rang the opening bell on January 28, 2026 in New York City. Mrs. Trump made the appearance as part of her publicity tour for the film, "Melania" which documents her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump's second inauguration. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

"Superior storytelling drives culture, and in turn, moves markets," the first lady said in her remarks. "In the near future, cultural influence will matter as much as economic power."

She wore a black coat dress with a leather belt.

January 29, 2026: After holding a private White House screening, Melania Trump attended the world premiere of her documentary at the Kennedy Center.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the premiere of "Melania" at the Kennedy Center.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the world premiere of Amazon MGM's "Melania" at The Trump-Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.

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She walked the red carpet wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt suit alongside Donald Trump.

February 4, 2026: The first lady met with freed Israeli hostages Aviva Siegel, who appeared in "Melania," and Keith Siegel.
Melania Trump with Keith Siegel and Aviva Siegel at the White House.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: First lady Melania Trump, Keith Siegel (L) and Aviva Siegel (R) holds hands during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House on February 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Keith Siegel, a U.S. citizen, was freed from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025 after spending 484 days in captivity. Aviva Siegel was also held captive and released in November 2023.

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Aviva Siegel was held hostage in Gaza by Hamas for 51 days and freed as part of a temporary ceasefire brokered by the Biden administration. She previously met with Melania Trump while her husband, Keith Siegel, was still held in Gaza, in a scene featured in the "Melania" documentary. Keith Siegel was eventually freed after 484 days, and a title card at the end of the film notes that Melania Trump "played a key role" in securing his release.

When a reporter asked Melania Trump if it was appropriate to promote her documentary at a White House event, she responded that meeting with the Siegels was "not promotion."

"We are here celebrating the release of the hostages, of Aviva and Keith," she said. "They were in Washington, DC, and they called me. They said they would like to come over to thank me and to give hugs, and that's why we are here. It's nothing to do with promotion."

The first lady wore a black suit with a white button-down shirt.

February 11, 2026: Melania Trump participated in Valentine's Day craft projects at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.
Melania Trump with children at the National Institutes of Health.
BETHESDA, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 11: First lady Melania Trump visits with children receiving medical treatment at National Institutes of Health (NIH) on February 11, 2026 in Bethesda, Maryland. The first lady participated in Valentine's Day craft projects while visiting with children staying at the Children's Inn on the campus of NIH.

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Ahead of Valentine's Day, Melania Trump visited children receiving medical treatment at the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She wore a khaki dress with a red belt.

February 13, 2026: The president and first lady visited troops at an Army base the day before Valentine's Day in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit the Fort Bragg U.S. Army base on February 13, 2026 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Trump visited the base to honor special forces involved in the military operation in Venezuela in early 2026.

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"Love letters have symbolized the union of patriotism and family devotion among our soldiers for 250 years," Melania Trump said at the event. "The harmony of love of country and love of family is what makes us uniquely American. It is this very balance which strengthens our military and builds our communities."

The first lady wore a tan wool Dolce & Gabbana coat with red leather boots from Vivian.

February 20, 2026: She donated her inaugural gown to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, as is traditional for first ladies.
Melania Trump at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: First Lady Melania Trump poses with her second inaugural dress during an event at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Mrs. Trump donated her second inaugural dress to the museum, which was designed by fashion designer Herve Pierre, who also designed her first inauguration dress.

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Melania Trump is the first non-consecutive first lady to donate an inaugural gown to the Smithsonian for a second time.

Her gown was designed by Hervé Pierre and paired with a reproduction of a 1955 diamond brooch by Harry Winston.

"Human nature resides in the discipline of detail," Melania Trump said in her speech at the museum. "Everything is in the detail. It's a testament as to why America's fashion industry can lead the rest of the world."

February 21, 2026: She accompanied Donald Trump at a White House dinner with state governors.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at a White House dinner with state governors.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a dinner with state governors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2026.

Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump invited only Republican governors to the dinner, which was held in the East Room.

Melania Trump wore a black blouse with metallic pants from Dolce & Gabbana.

February 24, 2026: Melania Trump presented the Medal of Honor to a veteran at the State of the Union.
Melania Trump at the 2026 State of the Union.
US First Lady Melania Trump presents US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor during US President Donald Trump's the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026.

Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Captain E. Royce Williams, 100, was part of the longest aerial engagement in the Navy's history during the Korean War, a battle kept classified for decades due to Soviet involvement.

Melania Trump wore a charcoal Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit.

March 2, 2026: Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting.
Melania Trump at the UN.
US First Lady Melania Trump poses for photos before a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York on March 2, 2026. First Lady Melania Trump is slated to chair a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, an appearance that was announced last week before the United States launched its war against Iran.

CHARLY TRIBALLEA /AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump became the first sitting first lady to preside over the UN Security Council, where she spoke about the importance of children's safety and education around the world.

"Security Council members, I encourage you to pledge to safeguard learning in our communities and promote access to heightened education for all," she said in her remarks. "I implore you to build a future generation of leaders who embrace peace through education."

The first lady wore a gray skirt suit cinched with a black belt.

March 7, 2026: The president and first lady attended the dignified transfer of six US soldiers who were killed in the Middle East.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the dignified transfer for six US soldiers killed in Operation Epic Fury.
(L/R) White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, US President Donald Trump, special envoy Steve Witkoff, First Lady Melania Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi attend a dignified transfer solemn event for six US soldiers at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Delaware, on March 7, 2026. Six US Army soldiers were killed March 1 when an Iranian drone struck a key US command center in Kuwait's southern industrial hub of Port Shuaiba, a day after the United States and Israel launched a sweeping military campaign against Iran.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump wore an all-black ensemble as the soldiers' remains were returned to the US at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

March 12, 2026: Melania Trump appeared at a White House Women's History Month event with Donald Trump.
Melania Trump speaks at a Women's History Month event.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: First lady Melania Trump speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a Women's History Month event in the East Room of the White House on March 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. The United States has observed Women's History Month in March since 1987.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

"To all of the young women, entrepreneurs, and future leaders: make time for yourself," Melania Trump said in her speech. "Educate yourself daily and spread your passion. Be courageous and take risks. Advance your profession through inspiration. Be a bold chief executive while keeping your family, if you choose so, at the center of your nation's future."

Melania Trump wore a black crewneck sweater with a leopard-print skirt.

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