Donald Trump Thanks ‘Incredible Wife,' ‘Maybe Future First Lady' Melania In Victory Speech

Donald Trump acknowledged his wife, Melania Trump, in his victory speech at Iowa.

Trump savored his Iowa caucus victory by paying tribute to his other half, Melania, and her family, including his late mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, and father-in-law, Viktor Knavs. The former U.S. president notably complimented his wife by calling her "incredible." 

"I want to thank my incredible wife, first lady, I'll say former and maybe future," Trump said of Melania. "But more important than Melania, I want to thank her incredible, beautiful mother who passed away a few days ago, and she's up there, way up there, she's looking down, and she's so proud of us, and I just want to say to Amalija, 'You are special. One of the most special people I've ever known.'"

Trump recounted the time Amalija was sick and after she passed away, saying it was a "tough period" for the family. He went on to praise Amalija for being "amazing" and acknowledged Melania's dad, too.

"She was amazing, so I just want to thank [her for] what she's done for our family and her husband, who's home right now and very lonely. He's a lonely man, but he's going to be okay, Viktor. They're great people, great parents to all of us, really."

Trump said Melania's parents were also great-grandparents to Barron. The politician joked that Barron only ate Amalija's food, so he got quite tall. 

Trump also acknowledged his own family members, who have "taken so much abuse for being good people." According to the father of five, Eric and Don worked hard to support him in his political bid despite having other occupations, so they have to "do it all." He also acknowledged his daughters, Tiffany and Ivanka, and youngest son, Barron, who were all home. The Trump patriarch was sure they were watching. 

Melania was noticeably missing from Trump's family photos on Christmas and New Year's Eve. The ex-POTUS later explained that his wife was with his mother-in-law, who was sick at the time.

"But she's been very ill, so I just want to say 'hello' to the first lady [Melania] -- we just spoke, down in Miami, great hospital -- and hopefully they'll be okay, but it's a tough one, it's a very tough one," Trump said of Amalija's condition at the time.

Last week, Melania announced that her mom passed away. The former first lady received support, love and prayers from her fans after they learned about the sad news.