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FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP: AI could improve teaching and help deliver a world-class education to our children

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:00:23 -0400

Every parent seeks the best education for their child. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides access to an elite education — the highest level of human knowledge — benefiting students, families and educators alike.

On March 24th and 25th, 45 nations joined me in the White House and the State Department for Fostering the Future Together’s two-day inaugural global coalition summit. Each leader shared their nation’s strategy to empower its children with technology and education. Clearly, we should embrace AI now in order to ensure America’s children outpace the global community. The naysayers must stop wasting their time fearmongering about robots.

AI is a great equalizer and can level the educational playing field for all children. For generations, only wealthier families could afford tutors and specialized programs. AI changes this completely.

AI STUDENT ADVOCATE AMONG FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP'S STATE OF THE UNION GUESTS

For example, AI-powered tutoring tools can give all students personalized help with difficult subjects and adjust to each child’s pace as needed. Students in remote or under-resourced communities can access expert explanations at any time. In these ways, AI democratizes education and provides children in underserved communities equal access to the best caliber of academics.

Throughout history, every major leap in education has come from technology. The printing press shipped books to the masses, computers brought information into classrooms, and the internet made knowledge globally accessible. AI is the continuation of human knowledge’s delivery evolution and should be embraced.

America’s teachers will remain the foundation of education, but can also be empowered by AI. As their roles evolve, AI will support them with up-to-date information, tools for personalized instruction and more time to focus on critical thinking, creativity and mentorship. AI is not intended to replace teachers with humanoids.

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Digital literacy is vital. If America’s children are not fluent in AI — how it works, how to use it, and how to think decisively about it — they will fall behind. We will all fall behind.

Since 2017, I have advised Americans on cyberbullying, digital security and tech safety to protect our children and families. At the time, my ideas were wrongfully deemed trivial and inconsequential. And yet today, parents face these issues regularly. With the advent of AI, now is another critical moment in time. Do not dismiss the power of AI — open your mind to its potential, and educate yourself.

As we transition into an AI technology-driven future, equipping our youth with the skills to navigate and leverage AI is crucial to their success and to the advancement of society as a whole. Let us commit to fostering a generation that is not only adept at using technology but also understands its implications and potential.

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We are not protecting our children if America limits access to AI in education. In fact, we are putting our next generation at a global disadvantage. China is aggressively integrating AI into its education, industry and national strategy, and it understands that the country that leads in AI will lead in global influence, economic power and information dominance.

America’s future leadership in the world begins in our classrooms. Let’s ensure our children have every advantage to lead, succeed and keep America superior.

Melania Trump: Education is the key to innovation and individual exceptionalism

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 05:00:22 -0400

Learning is a lifelong endeavor.

Our schools provide the foundation necessary to develop one’s intellect to thrive within society. A wide-ranging education can deliver the potential of stable employment, ultimately supplying our students with the capabilities to realize financial autonomy. And education can, of course, drive innovation and elevate our communities, cities and great nation.

As we look to supporting our children, we must consider the current state of academia and how we can lead by example—starting with those who might be lacking the support system necessary to obtain a meaningful education.

We should provide foster children with educational resources so that they will have tools, an encouraging environment, and a community filled with people who care about their dreams.

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This semester, Fostering the Future’s first two scholarship recipients commence their college careers as freshmen at Oral Roberts University and Middle Tennessee State University. Both scholars will learn in a supportive environment, gaining knowledge critical to achieving job security in the technology sector. By providing access to a computer science education, these individuals will be prepared to enter the workforce and ultimately reach financial independence.

SEE THE MAP: PARENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE GETTING INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION

Since leaving the White House, I have built an innovative Web3 technology business that utilizes blockchain technology. I am pleased that my efforts surrounding this endeavor, and Fostering the Future, will enrich the lives of these two highly motivated individuals.

Fostering the Future, a Be Best initiative, secures educational opportunities for children in the foster care community. Our ongoing commitment is critical. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, only 50 percent of foster children finish high school, and only three percent of former foster children obtain a college degree. Twenty percent of children in foster care will become homeless after aging out of the system, and only half will have gainful employment by the age of 24.

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Community involvement in education is paramount to successfully maturing a child’s needs, interests, and abilities.

As our Nation’s students return to school, with the support of their families, teachers, and caregivers, I wish everyone the best of luck. These may be challenging times, but I believe in the potential of a strong education.

Knowledge is empowering, and when coupled with creativity and exploration, we allow our students the opportunity to modernize and advance our society. Exposure to a diverse curriculum and differing views allows our students to explore new topics, form their own beliefs, and learn to work with others. Deadlines and assignments teach students time management and problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout life and the workforce.

A focus on the basics of learning is imperative: reading, writing, math, history and science. Sadly, new data released by the Department of Education showed declines in reading and math scores from 2020 to 2022 across most student groups, regardless of their demographic profile.

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We must strive to improve these scores and limit outside stressors to protect the next generation. Our children cope with pressures that prior generations have not necessarily faced. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. Last month, the Drug Enforcement Administration warned families of rainbow-colored fentanyl targeting children. And according to Everytown Research and Policy, there have been at least 113 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 41 deaths and 82 injuries nationally this year alone. These statistics are alarming and must be reversed.

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As we enter the new school year, please consider what you can do to herald our next generation’s academic efforts. After all, it is our duty as citizens to be concerned about the well-being of the next generation.

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A stronger foster care system is a stronger America

Tue, 03 May 2022 02:00:35 -0400

President Ronald Reagan established May as National Foster Care Month 34 years ago, and our Nation has an ongoing obligation to invest in our future by supporting foster children.

Foster care protects children, strengthens families, and builds a better future for our Nation’s youth. We must work together to build a framework for long-term economic stability and success—including for older foster youth and those aging out of the foster care system.

NORTH CAROLINA NONPROFIT BUILDS FREE HOMES FOR LICENSED FOSTER FAMILIES

Our support must include preparing children to succeed as adults. We must equip these young Americans with the skills they need to reach their full potential through economic empowerment, and especially through expanded access to resources in the fields of science, technology, and the trades. The 20,000 youth who age out of foster care each year must have the tools to develop professional skills to thrive as adults.

We’ve made great strides by moving toward prevention-focused services, but it’s crucial to ensure we do a better job of preparing foster youth for a successful transition to adulthood. In fact, across the country, thousands of children entrusted to the foster care system are searching for direction, answers, and hope—and America must deliver.

Over the course of the pandemic, we partnered to advance meaningful policies that improve the lives of children. We led solutions, including the bipartisan Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, to provide timely, commonsense relief that is making a real difference in young people’s lives—especially older foster youth who would have aged out of care without our support.

This year, several child welfare programs that serve the 407,000 youth in care are set to expire. Congress must examine these programs and implement improvements to make them work better for our Nation’s youth and families. Accordingly, in addition to supporting older foster youth, one major priority must be kinship care. As millions of families can attest, relative caregiving is the next best alternative to maintaining the core family unit. Nationwide, 2.7 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren, a seven percent increase since 2009. Of these grandparents, about one-fifth have incomes that fall below the poverty line.

We must do better in supporting these relative caregivers. We know, both from intuition and evidence, that keeping children with relative caregivers is generally the best possible situation. To support these selfless caregivers, Congress must take a serious look at the licensing standards to make it easier to keep children with family members.

In 1988, President Reagan encouraged Americans to make efforts to ensure all children have the opportunity to live in healthy, loving homes. The same is true today. Every child across the country should have the opportunity to thrive and achieve the American Dream. And, we should continue to work with foster care providers to ensure there is a safe and supportive place for every child.

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Given the nationwide shortage of loving, safe families for children, we must build on public-private partnerships that work—including religious child welfare providers. Our goal is always to provide certainty and support for all children.

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This May, we ask Americans to join us in marking National Foster Care Month by helping children and youth in foster care and by celebrating all—from foster parents and caregivers, coaches to community volunteers—who stand by them.

Together, we can uplift children in the foster care community and foster a brighter future.

Republican Jackie Walorski represents Indiana’s Second District.

Melania Trump, Jim Carroll: Partnering to help America's children live their best, drug-free lives

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 06:00:44 -0400

This October, we commemorate National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

As the first lady of the United States and the primary drug adviser to the president, we reinforce our commitment to ensuring the American people and our youth can live in strong, safe, and healthy communities that are drug-free.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the first lady’s Be Best campaign have partnered to prevent youth substance use and raise awareness about the consequences of illicit drug use.

We stand firm in our belief that the most effective ways to protect our children and communities from drugs are by focusing on primary prevention—preventing drug use before it begins—educating individuals about their risks, and stopping drugs from entering our communities.

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After achieving the first annual decline in overdose deaths in nearly 30 years in 2018, provisional 2019 data show that overdose deaths are rising again.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not spared any region or demographic and has affected everyone in some way.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the “risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition.”

This pandemic has imposed limitations on our physical proximity to others, increasing social isolation and loneliness. As a result, many have either turned to substances as an outlet or begun using them again.

ESTIMATES SUGGEST DRUG OVERDOSES ON THE RISE SINCE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Preventing drug use starts in the community. To help parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other community leaders prevent young people from initiating drug use and, instead, encourage healthy, drug-free lives, the Trump administration is providing critical funding through ONDCP’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program.

Each year, this funding supports around 700 community coalitions across the country focused on preventing drug use among people 18 and younger.

The DFC program has accounted for significant reductions in youth substance use: In communities with a DFC program, among many other benefits, alcohol use among middle school students declined by 25%, and prescription drug use by high school students declined by 26%.

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In September, President Trump announced $42.5 million in phase-one funding for the DFC program, and he’ll follow up with another funding announcement to close out Prevention Month.

The results of the DFC program underscore the importance of community-based efforts to prevent youth substance use. In fact, 73% of DFC-funded coalitions identify community involvement as a top protective factor with respect to substance use.

We need to renew our sense of community, regardless of whether it occurs in a safe in-person environment or virtually.

Throughout October, we have highlighted a number of the DFC coalitions and youth leaders across the country for their innovative work to prevent youth substance use and to help their peers #BeDrugFree. These youth leaders provide our nation with hope for a more drug-free future and we are honored to recognize them.

As we commemorate National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we also honor the courageous women and men in law enforcement who combat the flow of illegal drugs into our communities.

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These brave individuals work tirelessly to intercept the narcotics being smuggled into our nation by land, air, and sea.

In fact, under the bold leadership of President Trump, we are taking the fight directly to criminal drug trafficking organizations.

For example, just this month, the DEA executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of 2,224 pounds of methamphetamine, 893 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin from an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel. While, over the past year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted complex criminal investigations into transnational criminal organizations that led to the seizure of over 1.4 million pounds of narcotics.

Additionally, the Coast Guard is relentlessly pursuing narcotraffickers at sea, and Customs and Border Protection is making record-breaking seizures at the border.

We’ve seen firsthand what our officers and agents are capable of, and we assure you that they stand ready to protect the safety and well-being of the American people.

As we have seen during the global pandemic, almost every facet of our lives has needed to adapt.

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The Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Be Best campaign remain committed to restoring and nurturing an environment that is conducive for all children to live their best, drug-free lives.

We love this country, and during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we reiterate our commitment to being relentless in our pursuit of ensuring all Americans, especially our children, live healthy and drug-free lives.

Jim Carroll is Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

First lady Melania Trump: 'Be Best' is advocating that every child find a loving, safe and forever family

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 07:00:58 -0400

America’s kids need us now more than ever. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a serious impact on America’s children and those who care for them, from parents and teachers to child welfare workers and foster families.

The Trump administration is committed to ensuring that children benefit from the care and support of loving, permanent families, preferably in their own homes whenever possible. We are doing all we can to establish commonsense solutions that best serve our children in the welfare system.

As part of my Be Best campaign, I have made foster care a top priority. It remains our generation’s responsibility to help our children overcome the many issues they face today, which may include their social, emotional and physical well-being.

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Right now, there are over 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system and 124,000 of them are awaiting permanent placement with a forever family. It is our time to be the voice for these thousands of children waiting for a forever family — and it is our time to decide on how we proceed so we can do the most for children in need.

On June 24, President Trump signed the historic Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America’s Children. This executive order aims to strengthen America’s child welfare system through three key actions: improving partnerships, resources and oversight.

The executive order is the next great step towards our goal of creating long-term solutions for America’s most vulnerable. And with this great momentum, I’m working with the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to continue our journey towards helping children waiting in the foster care system find loving, safe and forever families.

In supporting this priority, I recently held a virtual roundtable and heard from foster care advocates, parents, governors and their spouses, as well as youth who have aged out of the system without a forever family.

I was incredibly touched to hear personal stories from those who have spent most of their lives in foster care. A story in particular that touched my heart came from two young people who shared their struggle of being apart from their siblings when they entered the foster care system. We believe that no child should be out on the streets due to their birth date and no child should have to grow up without their siblings.

It is so important that we use these voices to create policies and deliver resources for children and families so that no child has to go through the experiences that these children and adults have experienced.

As my husband, President Donald Trump said, “The best foster care system is one that is not needed in the first place.” If we address our child welfare system with the lens of “primary prevention,” we can have the ability to support children and families long before they ever need to enter the system in the first place.

Still, we understand that prevention efforts will not completely eliminate the need for foster care services to ensure the safety and well-being of some children. When that is required, it is our responsibility to make sure that children and youth do not leave our foster care system without a forever family.

To support children in the foster care system, Administration for Children and Families Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson is leading an important initiative aimed at achieving permanency for the 124,000 children waiting for placement with forever families. In November, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Assistant Secretary's "All-In" Foster Adoption Challenge.

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Federal officials have been hard at work engaging directly with governors, human services leaders, philanthropic organizations and faith-based organizations to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.

As we talk to governors and state leaders, we are asking them to extend the foster care age from 18 to 21, host roundtables with partners and foster youth, work with the courts to expedite quality hearings, develop additional resources for older foster youth and adoptive parents, and identify laws or barriers that stand in the way of helping our children.

But we cannot do this alone. We need the engagement of our youth who have experienced the best and the worst of the child welfare system.

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We need these strong voices to bring awareness to circumstances, issues and policies that can be changed. We also need everyone’s involvement — from families to governors to churches and nonprofits.

This is a team effort to help America’s children. We are taking bold actions, and we will stop at nothing to help our children find safe and loving families that they can call their own forever.