WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on first lady Melania Trump (all times local):
8 p.m.
Vice President Mike Pence says the medical procedure that first lady Melania Trump underwent to treat a kidney condition was “long-planned.”
Pence commented Monday as he opened a speech in Washington marking 70 years of Israeli independence. Pence told the audience that the procedure was not an emergency and that he was pleased to report that it was a “success and Melania is already on the mend.”
Pence also praised Mrs. Trump, calling her a “remarkable woman” whom the U.S. is “blessed” to have as its first lady.
He told the audience that she is “on our hearts” and “we’re praying for her speedy and full recovery.”
The White House says the 48-year-old first lady had the procedure Monday morning. She is expected to remain hospitalized for the rest of the week.
___
6:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump has departed a military hospital near Washington after visiting his wife, Melania, who underwent a procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.
The president spent a little over an hour at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with his wife Monday evening before departing via motorcade under threat of bad weather.
The White House says the 48-year-old first lady had the procedure Monday morning and was expected to remain hospitalized for the rest of the week.
The president said that it was a “successful procedure” and that his wife was “in good spirits.”
Two urologists who have no personal knowledge of Mrs. Trump’s condition say the most likely explanation for the procedure is a kind of noncancerous kidney tumor called an angiomyolipoma.
___
5:25 p.m.
President Donald Trump has arrived at a military hospital near Washington to visit his wife, Melania, who underwent a procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.
Trump flew by helicopter from the White House to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, early Monday evening. He got out of the helicopter and climbed into an SUV, waving to reporters but declining to speak.
A spokeswoman for the 48-year-old first lady says the procedure Monday morning was successful and was performed without complications.
Mrs. Trump is likely to remain at Walter Reed for the rest of the week.
The White House has not offered any additional details on the first lady’s condition.
___
5:15 p.m.
President Donald Trump is heading to Walter Reed Medical Center to visit first lady Melania Trump after what he calls a “Successful procedure.”
Melania Trump underwent a medical procedure Monday morning to treat a benign kidney condition.
Trump says in a tweet that he is heading to “see our great First Lady, Melania.”
He says “she is in good spirits,” and adds, “Thank you to all of the well-wishers!”
The White House says Melania Trump will probably be hospitalized for the rest of the week.
___
4 p.m.
President Donald Trump is expected to visit first lady Melania Trump at the hospital, where she underwent a procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.
That’s according to a White House official who was not authorized to disclose the plan and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official says the visit to Walter Reed Medical Center is expected later Monday.
A spokeswoman for the 48-year-old first lady says the procedure was successful and there were no complications. Mrs. Trump will likely be hospitalized for the rest of the week.
The White House did not offer any additional details on Mrs. Trump’s condition.
She was last seen in public on Wednesday at a White House event to honor military mothers and spouses for Mother’s Day.
- By Darlene Superville
___
3:30 p.m.
The White House says Melania Trump is hospitalized after undergoing a procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.
The first lady’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, says that the procedure Monday morning was successful and that there were no complications.
Grisham says Mrs. Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center just outside Washington and will likely remain there for the rest of the week.
Last week, the first lady launched her “Be Best” initiative to help children be their best selves.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.