First lady Melania Trump undergoes kidney surgery

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump underwent a "successful" procedure today to treat a benign kidney condition and was expected to remain hospitalized for the rest of the week, her staff said.

President Donald Trump took a helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to visit her and tweeted that his wife was in "good spirits."

Mrs. Trump, 48, had the embolization procedure this morning. The president spoke with Mrs. Trump before the procedure and with her doctor afterward, the first lady's office said.

The president tweeted shortly before arriving at Walter Reed outside Washington, saying it was a "successful procedure," describing his wife as being "in good spirits" and offering his thanks "to all of the well-wishers!"

The White House did not offer any additional details on Mrs. Trump's condition.

In opening remarks in the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sent well wishes for "a speedy recovery to the first lady."

She was last seen in public Wednesday at a White House event where she joined the president to honor military mothers and spouses for Mother's Day.

The president had no public appearances scheduledtoday and declined to answer shouted questions from reporters about how his wife was feeling as he departed the White House for Walter Reed.

3:25 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced this afternoon first lady Melania Trump is hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.