Soldier who danced with Melania Trump shares what she told him during inaugural ball
The army sergeant reveals a touching moment with the former first lady that stayed with him ever since.
Sergeant Henry Waller, who danced with First Lady Melania Trump at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, has disclosed the details of their brief but memorable exchange during the event.
The Commander-in-Chief Ball, held on January 20, was one of the highlights of the festivities marking Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office for his second term as President. The event featured the president, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and their military dance partners taking center stage. Yet, it was Melania’s whispered words to her partner, Army Sergeant Henry Waller, that captured public attention.
The ballroom was alive with excitement as President Trump danced with Sergeant Tatiana Saldana from the U.S. Space Force, while Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, partnered with members of the Marine Corps and Navy. Melania Trump, as poised as ever, shared the dance floor with Sergeant Waller, whose composure and joy were evident.
As clips of the pair’s waltz spread across social media, viewers were captivated by their graceful movements. The moment that drew the most attention, however, came when Melania leaned in and whispered something to Waller during their dance.
What did Melania whisper?
In an interview with Inside Edition, Waller opened up about the experience, describing the overwhelming emotions of the evening.
“I walked out on stage. I was trying to contain my composure, but we were told that it’s not like ceremonial composure. We can smile if you want to,” Waller recalled.
“It was fantastic—she’s a really good dancer,” said Sergeant Henry Waller, who danced with Melania Trump at the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball on the night of the inauguration. All eyes were on the soldier as he stepped in to dance with the First Lady, giving her a twirl. pic.twitter.com/PmHVU9D06s
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When asked about their whispered exchange, Waller revealed, “I asked her how her night was going. She said it was going good. She asked me how mine was. I said, ‘It was fantastic.’”
The sergeant also commented on Melania’s dancing skills, adding, “Oh, yeah, she’s a really good dancer.”
Melania’s role during Trump’s second term
The inauguration marked the beginning of another chapter for the Trump family, though questions linger about how much time Melania will spend at the White House. Reports suggest that the first lady plans to split her time between Washington, D.C., and New York City, where the couple’s son, Barron, is currently studying.
Despite earlier rumors that Melania was hesitant about returning to the public spotlight after Trump’s first term, her composed presence during the election and inauguration reassured supporters of her unwavering commitment to her role.
A moment to remember
For Sergeant Waller, dancing with the first lady was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he will never forget. As for Melania, her elegance and grace once again captured the public’s imagination, leaving a lasting impression on a night filled with tradition and celebration.
As President Trump embarks on his second term, moments like this offer a glimpse into the personal connections that continue to define historic events in American politics.