Melania Trump Continues Michelle Obama’s Beekeeping Program With New White House-Shaped Beehive

Christopher EdwardsFri, April 24, 2026 at 7:13 PM UTC

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Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; The White House/YouTube -

Melania Trump is expanding the White House beekeeping program with a new hive shaped like the White House

The new hive will increase honey production by 30 pounds annually and support pollination in nearby gardens, according to the White House

The White House's beekeeping program was first launched under Michelle Obama in 2009

First lady Melania Trump has the White House buzzing.

The office of the first lady announced on Friday that Melania, 55, would be expanding the White House's beekeeping program, first launched under former first lady Michelle Obama in 2009.

Hand-crafted by a local artisan in the shape of the White House, the brand new beehive will add two new bee colonies to the existing two colonies that already produce honey at the White House. A short video announcing the new hive shows bees buzzing around their presidential digs, and showcases White House honey being made and packaged.

The new beehive at the White House.Credit: The White House/YouTube

The new hive is expected to increase annual honey production by an estimated 30 pounds, according to the White House. The honey will be used for preparing White House culinary dishes, and as official gifts from the President and the first lady.

The installation will support the existing colonies in pollinating the nearby White House kitchen garden, flower cutting garden, and vegetation on the National Mall. There will also be potential opportunities for visitors on the South Lawn to get a closer look at a working colony and learn about beekeeping firsthand. The expansion of the beekeeping program will be funded through the Trust for the National Mall.

White House honey.Credit: The White House/YouTube

The White House beekeeping program began in 2009 when White House carpenter Charlie Brandt told some of Michelle Obama's staff about his beekeeping hobby. Chef Sam Kass asked Brandt if he knew how to make honey that could be used in the White House kitchen, and the rest was history.

Brandt brought a spare hive to the White House and became the residence's official beekeeper.

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During peak summer months, the existing two hive populations on the grounds can reach around 70,000 bees, producing up to 200 to 225 pounds of honey in a year.

Bees in the White House's new beehive.Credit: The White House/YouTube

Melania made headlines last month while speaking at a White House Women's History Month event, saying she's often "alone at the top."

“As a visionary, I know success is not born overnight, but rather takes shape after a long and sometimes challenging process," said Melania, who was the subject of a self-titled documentary released earlier this year. "Often alone at the top, I follow my passion, listen to my instinct, and always maintain a laser focus."

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“In solitude, my creative mind dances, filling my imagination with originality. Attention to detail, demanding schedules, and multi-tasking are everyday realities when building towards success,” she continued.

“That principle resonates across all my roles, as a mother, humanitarian, philanthropist and entrepreneur as well as with my new film where I shaped its creative direction, served as a producer, managed post production and activated the marketing campaign.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”