Melania Trump has told troops to brace for a brave new world of robots on the battlefield in a speech described by critics as ‘dystopian.’
The first lady was speaking to military personnel and their families at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina on Wednesday.
‘Artificial intelligence is propelling America’s military into a new era. We are moving from human operators to human overseers – fast,’ Melania said.
‘The shift from soldiers to machines is already underway. Autonomous helicopters, swarming drones, and recon aircraft are here now. Fighter-less jets and autonomous bombers are on the way.
‘To win the AI war, we must train our next generation, for it’s America’s students who will lead the Marine Corps in the future.’
The unsettling theme sparked a meltdown online, with people complaining that it was unfair to tell troops that they are going to be replaced by robots.
‘Is this speech supposed to be dystopian?’ one user commented.
Another posted on X, ‘Trailer for the new Terminator spinoff.’
First lady Melania Trump delivers remarks to military personnel and their families during a visit to MV-22 Mega Hangar on Marine Corps Air Station New River on November 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, North Carolina
A third responded, ‘Whattt? She actually told soldiers they are being replaced by robots?’
Melania has positioned herself at the vanguard of her husband Donald’s AI drive, notably leading the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in September.
In that speech, she highlighted the technology’s benefits, including driverless taxis, robot-assisted surgeries, and drones.
She also stressed the need to educate the nation’s youth to safeguard against its dangers – ideas which were echoed in her New River speech on Wednesday.
‘Technology is changing the art of war,’ the first lady said. ‘AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons.
‘The most significant change will be speed. Speed in weaponry, decision-making, detection, attack, and defense. Artificial intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war, it already plays a meaningful role on the battlefield.
‘Of course, it is the Marine who will always play the most critical role in realizing mission success.’
The military has already deployed autonomous systems such as the MQ-9 Reaper drone, used for reconnaissance missions, and the unmanned K-MAX helicopter, deployed in Afghanistan to deliver supplies to avoid roadside risks from IEDs.
First lady Melania Trump meets with Marines and their families at the Mega Hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C., Wednesday
Second lady Usha Vance speaks in the Mega Hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station New River
U.S. first lady Melania Trump holds a child as she and second lady Usha Vance meet with military service members and their families at Marine Corps Air Station New River
First lady Melania Trump arrives to speak to military personnel and their families during a visit to MV-22 Mega Hangar on Marine Corps Air Station New River on November 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, North Carolina
The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program is developing low-cost ‘loyal wingman’ drones to augment the capabilities of manned fighter aircraft. Prototypes from General Atomics and Anduril are slated for deployment in the late 2020s.
A long-range strike bomber, the B-21 Raider, has been designed with advanced AI capabilities so that it can be piloted by just one man, with the potential for full-uncrewed modes in the future.
Trump was joined by Second Lady Usha Vance, whose husband Vice President JD Vance is a former Marine. The pair earlier attended Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, also in Jacksonville.
First lady Melania Trump speaks at the Mega Hangar at the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C., Wednesday
First lady Melania Trump meets with students at DeLalio Elementary School on the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville on Wednesday
Melania’s jacket appeared to be designed by Blazé Milano, featuring various pockets of different sizes and tortoise-shell button detailing
It’s unclear what Melania and Usha’s relationship is like behind the scenes, but they have made some appearances together for various occasions, like Mother’s Day
First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance looked ready to embrace the Fall weather as they arrived to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to visit service members and their families ahead of Thanksgiving
The Second Lady topped off the look with a pair of suede burgundy heels, black Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a pair of statement earrings
‘Thank you for your service. My husband, the president, is sending best regards. We are both thinking of you,’ Trump told students at Lejeune High School.
She emphasized that she and the president were thinking of the military ‘especially during the holidays’ and wished the students and teachers a happy Thanksgiving.
The pair later visited the DeLalio Elementary School at New River where they sat and chatted with students, taking part in a spelling class.
Melania told one of the little girls she was ‘beautiful.’
The appearance marks the first time Melania and Usha have traveled together for a joint visit without their husbands.
Melania, 55, dressed down in a pair of brown leather pants and a matching safari jacket, while Usha, 39, opted for a burgundy-colored, turtleneck dress with matching suede heels.
The first lady’s jacket appeared to be designed by Blazé Milano, featuring various pockets of different sizes and tortoise-shell button detailing. It is currently on sale for $950 on Net-a-Porter, but was originally priced at $1,900.
She paired the look with a pair of chestnut-colored, heeled Christian Louboutin booties that included buckle detailing on the front.
Usha, on the other hand, opted for a figure-hugging, long-sleeve turtleneck dress in a warm burgundy color.
The dress, which is currently for sale at Ralph Lauren for $145, featured a long, draping tie-belt at the waist.
The second lady completed the look with a pair of suede burgundy heels, black Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a pair of statement earrings.
