On May 14, 2018 First Lady Melania Trump underwent kidney surgery at Walter Reed Medical Medical Center in Washington D.C.
"This morning, First Lady Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition. The procedure was successful and there were no complications," her spokesperson released in a statement at the time. "Mrs. Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will likely remain there for the duration of the week. The First Lady looks forward to a full recovery so she can continue her work on behalf of children everywhere."
While the First Lady's condition was "benign," it was serious. She spent nearly a week in the hospital recovering.
"The First Lady returned home to the White House this morning. She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits. Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs. Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out," her spokesperson said.
A sincere thank you to Walter Reed Medical Unit @WRBethesda & to all who have send good wishes & prayers! I am feeling great & look forward to getting back home @WhiteHouse soon.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 16, 2018
On Sunday the White House announced Melania will not travel with President Trump to the summit with North Korea in Singapore or the G7 Summit in Quebec.
Que the conspiracy theories.
During a segment on CNN the same day, the host and guests claimed the First Lady is "missing," despite journalists saying they've seen her in recent days.
If any First Lady "disappeared," you'd "want to know where she is." Here's our @CNN discussion: https://t.co/qCLndJKRMp pic.twitter.com/eJ5KY0xTzu
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 3, 2018
The day CNN claims she went "missing," May 11, is three days before she underwent surgery. As of June 3, a number of journalists have seen her at the White House.
Not that this will deter the conspiracy theorists, but I saw the First Lady walking with her aides in the West Wing yesterday afternoon. https://t.co/N9xadq7P0d
— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) May 30, 2018
Yes. There was another reporter with me in the hallway at the time: @kwelkernbc . It was just a brief encounter- she walked past with an aide and secret service agents.
— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) June 3, 2018
Three weeks ago, a reporter at the White House briefing asked if the First Lady was actually living at the White House.