Office of the First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2026

First Lady Melania Trump launched her Fostering the Future Accounts, a new financial resource established to empower foster youth to be fiscally autonomous upon reaching the age of majority.

"Fostering the Future Accounts give foster children the same chance for asset ownership and long-term wealth building as every other American child. By investing in our foster youth now, we help strengthen America's workforce, communities, and economic future," the First Lady explained.

This historic measure is a first for the United States and is designed by the First Lady in tandem with the U.S. Department of Treasury. Already, twenty-three Governors have pledged to set up Fostering the Future Accounts for children within their states' care.

First Lady Melania Trump called for national unity to fund the accounts, "Now is the time for everyone to act. All 50 states should pledge to protect America's foster youth. Let's elevate America's children above politics. I urge every Governor and business leader in America to help fund these accounts."

Because of First Lady Melania Trump's leadership and commitment to ensuring youth in foster care have the same access as every other American child to valuable asset building opportunities, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Management and Budget issued Federal guidance allowing State, Territorial, and Tribal child welfare agencies to open this type of account for any child or youth in their care:

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will now recognize State child welfare agencies acting as a guardian for children and youth in foster care, or their designees, as eligible individuals for the purposes of opening an initial account when a child is in foster care.

The Trump Administration will provide guidance and a dedicated helpline designed specifically to assist States in setting up these accounts for children and youth in foster care.

It is important to note, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized the creation of this type of account. This announcement marks the latest milestone in First Lady Melania Trump's Fostering the Future initiative; her mission to provide opportunities and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families involved in the foster care system.

The following governors have pledged to open fostering the future accounts: Kay Ivey, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Ron DeSantis, Brian Kemp, Brad Little, Mike Braun, Kim Reynolds, Jeff Landry, Tate Reeves, Mike Kehoe, Greg Gianforte, Jim Pillen, Joe Lombardo, Kelly Ayotte, Kelly Armstrong, Mike DeWine, Kevin Stitt, Henry McMaster, Larry Rhoden, Bill Lee, Greg Abbott, Spencer Cox, and Patrick Morrisey.

The full remarks by First Lady Melania Trump are provided below.

Empowerment Through Asset Ownership

Thank you for welcoming me this afternoon, Secretary Bessent.

Since the earliest days of our Republic, the Treasury has stood for America's financial credibility and stability. This very building is a monument to our confidence in the American experiment. Today, we are adding another important layer to the Treasury Department's foundation: economic stewardship.

For the first time, children in foster care will have access to a dedicated savings and investment vehicle: Fostering the Future Accounts.

Fostering the Future Accounts give foster children the same chance for asset ownership and long-term wealth building as every other American child. By investing in our foster youth now, we help strengthen America's workforce, communities, and economic future.

Ownership turns the principle of individual liberty into a substantive reality. For children in foster care, this is especially important. America can offer services, help, and protection, but real freedom means being able to make independent choices about your own future. Property ownership helps make that possible.

When they turn eighteen, foster youth will be able to access the assets they own through Fostering the Future Accounts. This will give them a foundation for independence and opportunity.

For Fostering the Future youth, empowerment comes through ownership. This includes ownership of knowledge through education and now ownership through savings and investment accounts. Education and savings accounts are the first steps toward personal independence.

Fostering the Future accounts help create the conditions where liberty can flourish. Success is not about how many benefits a person receives, but rather about how much independence they achieve.

Starting today, the Treasury will let state child welfare agencies and foster youth representatives set up Fostering the Future Accounts for children in foster care.

We already have measurable results: 23 governors have pledged to set up Fostering the Future Accounts in their States--including Governor Little from Idaho who is here with us today. Thank you, Governor.

Now is the time for everyone to act. All 50 states should pledge to protect America's foster youth. Let's elevate America's children above politics.

I urge every governor and business leader in America to help fund these accounts. Together, we can make sure foster youth enter adulthood with assets, opportunity, and a stronger path to independence.

This is a historic moment for our nation. We should aspire to raise a generation of builders, creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders whose futures are shaped by their ambition, not their circumstances. A strong education and financial assets will give them tools for a lifetime.

06/10/26

Since returning to office, President Donald J. Trump has unleashed a bold America First agenda that is crushing bureaucracy, restoring fairness, and rebuilding American dominance. Through sweeping deregulation, pro-growth policies, and decisive enforcement, the Trump Administration is slashing waste, protecting American workers, and stacking victory after victory.

Here are a few recent wins you may have missed:

? Food stamp dependency is plummeting. More than 4.3 million fewer Americans are on food stamps since President Trump signed the landmark Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Illegal aliens have been removed from the rolls and requirements restored for able-bodied adults -- safeguarding benefits for Americans who truly need them.

? Foreign student enrollment is collapsing. New data reveals a 20% drop last spring after the Trump Administration dramatically tightened international visas. This multi-year decline is freeing thousands of spots for American students at colleges and universities across the country.

? Economic fundamentals are roaring with strength. The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, crushing expectations. Manufacturing and construction are booming , government employment has fallen for 17 straight months, small business hiring is up for the third month in a row, and job openings are near a two-year high. Manufacturing has expanded for the fifth straight month at the fastest pace in four years. The services sector has grown every month since President

Trump's return. New home construction is surging , home prices are falling in over half the country, and income growth is outpacing rents -- restoring housing affordability to near pre-pandemic levels.

? Health insurers are slashing red tape. UnitedHealthcare has eliminated prior authorization requirements for 30% of procedures -- the latest major insurer to act after commitments secured by the Trump Administration. Overall prior authorizations at the nation's largest insurers have dropped 11% from last year, sparing 6.5 million procedures from bureaucratic delays.

? Immigration and visa enforcement are driving down housing costs. Aggressive crackdowns on illegal immigration and H-1 B visa abuse are slashing housing demand ) across the country -- especially in high-immigration tech hubs -- delivering real relief where costs had surged the most and helping bring housing back within reach for American families.

? Drug prices are actually falling. President Trump is the first President to actually bring down overall prescription drug prices, and the data is only starting to show up -- with President Trump's landmark Most Favored Nation initiative projected to save Americans $500 billion over the next decade while protecting innovation and expanding access. Meanwhile, TrumpRx continues rapidly adding discounted prescriptions -- including hundreds of new generic medications -- to its platform, saving Americans hundreds of millions of dollars already.

?️ Steel imports are collapsing as American production surges. Thanks to President Trump's strong tariffs protecting U.S. steel and aluminum, steel imports have dropped 30% this year while domestic mills have added nearly five million tons of production -- putting American steelworkers first after years of foreign exploitation.

Office of the First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2026

First Lady Melania Trump is expanding her Fostering the Future initiative with the launch of her Fostering the Future Accounts. This new financial resource will empower foster youth to prepare for a fiscally independent future.

Specifically, children in foster care will be able to own a dedicated savings and investment vehicle, architected in conjunction with the United States Department of Treasury.

The First Lady will announce her new financial initiative during an event with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

WHAT:

First Lady Melania Trump launches Fostering the Future Accounts, a new financial vehicle for youth in foster care as part of her Fostering the Future platform

WHO:

Mrs. Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States

Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Department of the Treasury

WHEN:

Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET

WHERE:

The Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

MEDIA CREDENTIALS:

Press credentials for this event may be requested through the Office of the First Lady here .

Deadline to Request Media Credentials: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

06/09/26

After four years of Democrats' dangerous open-border policies that fueled chaos and lawlessness across the country, President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history, with illegal crossings dropping to record lows--just as he promised. In spite of President Trump's successes that have made our communities safer and crime drop to generational lows, congressional Democrats have spent months blocking critical funding for the brave men and women charged with protecting our homeland.

The Secure America Act puts an end to Democrats' political games by fully funding ICE and Border Patrol through President Trump's term and providing the resources needed to keep our border secure, combat human trafficking, stop the flow of deadly drugs, dismantle criminal cartels, and enforce America's immigration laws.

Last week, every single Senate Democrat voted against the Secure America Act. This week, House Democrats will yet again show the nation that they are the party of open borders, protecting criminal illegal aliens, and defunding the police.

Here's what they're saying:

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin: "It is imperative that Congress immediately passes the Secure America Act to fully fund these critical components. Following Senate passage last week, the House is the final hurdle in ensuring our ICE and CBP agents have the resources they need to execute their mission. It has been more than 100 days since congressional Democrats defunded ICE and Border Patrol in a radical attempt to protect violent criminal illegal aliens and undermine President Trump's highly successful border security agenda."

Border Czar Tom Homan: "When this reconciliation passes, that's $70 B that will fund us until the end of the Trump Administration. You're going to see targeting increase, you're going to see arrests increase, we're also going to be able to pay our vendors... our medical contractors. So that means that we're going to do a lot more. We're already making historic arrests under President Trump, as he promised the American people. But with additional funding, we're going to keep our foot on the gas and keep moving forward."

Republican Governors Association: "As Republican governors of states tasked with protecting our citizens, we write to express our strong support for swift enactment of The Secure America Act, legislation to provide sustained funding to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ."

Republican Attorneys General Association: "As state Attorneys General, we rely on strong federal partners to keep our communities safe. By withholding these resources, Senate Democrats are undermining a core federal duty and jeopardizing public safety nationwide. We fully support advancing this essential legislation through the budget reconciliation process and delivering it to President Trump for signature without further delay. We urge our Republican colleagues in Congress to ensure robust funding for CBP and ICE through the remainder of President Trump's term -- and to act now. "

National Fraternal Order of Police: "The 'Secure America Act' will provide DHS and its law enforcement components with substantial multi-year funding to strengthen our nation's defenses against illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, terrorists, and other threats to our country by enhancing operational capabilities, supporting our personnel, and helping ensure that law enforcement has the resources and tools necessary to protect our communities."

Conservative Action Project: "Conservatives urge House Republicans to immediately pass the budget reconciliation bill to fully fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations. Any further delay is an unconscionable dereliction of one of Congress's most basic duties."

Immigration Accountability Project: "The men and women of ICE and the Border Patrol put their lives on the line every day to enforce the immigration laws you have enacted. They deserve to know that they will continue to be paid for their work. The American people voted for immigration enforcement and the restoration of our national sovereignty. We deserve to know that our Senators stand with us and will keep the campaign promises you made to secure the border and enforce the law. It is time to fund immigration enforcement. Pass the reconciliation bill."

Numbers USA: "Congress's number one job is to protect our national security and our sovereignty. Critical federal agencies that protect our homeland have been shut down for 108 days. We are deeply disappointed that Congress did not fund CBP and ICE through the regular appropriations process. It's time for Congress to fulfill its responsibility by passing the reconciliation bill to fund our men and women and provide the resources needed to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws."

Independent Women's Forum: "Following Senate passage of the Secure America Act, legislation that provides roughly $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement and border security, Independent Women is urging the U.S. House of Representatives to swiftly pass the bill and send it to the president's desk. The legislation would provide critical resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement , Customs and Border Protection , and the U.S. Border Patrol to strengthen border security, enforce immigration laws, combat trafficking and drug smuggling, and protect American communities."

Leader John Thune: As long as Republicans are in charge, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off our streets. I wish I could say the same of my Democrat colleagues.

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: Senate Republicans know that the first duty of government is to prioritize the safety of the American people. Today, we honored that commitment by passing the Secure America Act. Every single Senate Democrat voted against this important bill. For months they blocked funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Border Patrol. Democrats showed the nation that they are the party of open borders, protecting illegal immigrant criminals, and defunding the police. Republicans will always prioritize the safety and security of America

Sen. Tom Cotton: For over 100 days, Democrats tried to defund law enforcement. They failed. Last week, Republicans superfunded ICE and Border Patrol for years to come.

Sen. Joni Ernst: I was a proud yes on the Secure America Act. We must fully fund law enforcement and keep Iowans safe!

Sen. Rand Paul: Despite Democrats' obstruction, we broke through and passed funding for Border Patrol and ICE. Under President Trump, Biden's open-border legacy is over.

Sen. Ted Budd : For months, Democrats impeded basic government functions to appease their far-Left base. @SenateGOP just ended the obstruction by passing the Secure America Act, fully funding ICE & CBP so these agencies can enforce immigration laws, secure the border, & keep Americans safe.

Sen. Roger Marshall: Right now Democrats are fighting us into the night to block funding for the agencies that secure our borders and keep violent illegal aliens out of our country. Americans haven't forgotten what our country looked like under Democrat rule. Republicans are fighting to restore law and order, secure the border, and keep your family safe.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: At every turn, Democrats have tried to obstruct @POTUS ' successful border security agenda. No more. Today, the @HouseGOP will FULLY FUND Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through FY2029, locking in President Trump's great success at the border for years to come!

Sen. Deb Fischer: Democrats in Congress spent months refusing to fund the law enforcement who keep our country safe. @SenateGOP got it done. I encourage the House to act swiftly and get this bill to @POTUS ' desk.

Rep. Tony Wied: The American people want secure borders and they know who is standing with them. While Democrats continue to fight for illegal aliens, today Republicans will vote to fully fund ICE and CBP and give them the tools they need to keep Americans safe.

Rep. Russell Fry: Enough with the political circus. The mission is critical. We were elected to secure the border, support our law enforcement, and protect our country, not get distracted by shiny objects and political theater. Let's get the reconciliation bill passed and send it to the President's desk.

Rep. Julie Fedorchak: REMINDER: Every single Democrat voted NO multiple times on fully funding @DHSgov . Now @HouseGOP is leading to make sure the men and women who secure our border, stop terrorist threats, and respond to disasters have the resources they need. Tomorrow, we will vote and get the job done to fully fund DHS. Keeping Americans safe isn't optional and shouldn't be a partisan issue.

Rep. Mark Harris: Border security should never be used as a bargaining chip. The American people gave @HouseGOP a clear mandate to secure the border, and we are ready to fund ICE and CBP for the next three years so the men and women on the front lines can protect our country.

Rep. Claudia Tenney: The American people voted for a SECURE border. They expect us to enforce the law & keep our communities safe. We have a mandate to get this done. Let's finish the job.

Rep. Jim Baird: It's time to fully fund border security in our country. It's time to secure America and fully fund ICE and CBP.

Rep. Julia Letlow: Thank you @SecMullinDHS . It's time for Congress to pass the Secure America Act to fund our immigration enforcement and continue President Trump's efforts to secure the border.

Rep. Jodey Arrington: Republicans are making good on our commitment to ensure our border is secure, our laws are enforced, and our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to succeed.

House Judiciary GOP: Democrats forced 10 million migrants into the country. Brought them to their sanctuary jurisdictions. Then defunded ICE. The Secure America Act won't let that happen again.

House Homeland GOP: Chairman @RepGarbarino testifies before @RulesReps , urging full funding for DHS to continue securing our borders and communities: "As threats to the homeland continue to evolve, Congress cannot afford inaction. The cycle of abandoning regular order and using funding as a political bargaining chip must come to an end. The American people deserve a government willing to confront these challenges directly and decisively. We have an opportunity to make the country safer and more secure."

Republican Study Committee: Democrats have spent 100 days deliberately undermining the agencies that stand between American communities and violent criminal illegal aliens imported by the Biden administration. Fully funding our border security agencies is non-negotiable. There is no more time for delay. Let's get this done!

Senate Republicans: The Secure America Act ensures Democrats can no longer hold law enforcement funding hostage. We're never going back to Biden's open borders and lawlessness.

Office of the First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2026

Mrs. Trump awarded America's six student National Champion Teams at the White House today during the first Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge National Champion Awards Ceremony.

The First Lady acknowledged the program's impact on America's economy and across business sectors, including healthcare, nutrition, and public safety. Mrs. Trump praised participants for using artificial intelligence to tackle real-world challenges and encouraged them to continue pursuing their dreams. Throughout her remarks, Mrs. Trump emphasized that emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for young people to learn, innovate, and help shape the future of America."

Mrs. Trump highlighted the extraordinary reach of the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge, which engaged more than 20,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 49 Department of defense Education Activity schools across 10 countries. The six student National Champion teams recognized at the White House represent the very best of the Challenge's inaugural class, including:

Elementary, Track 1: Homework Helper

Alcoa Intermediate School

Team Members: Aaron Gallagher, Ayden Taverna, Emma Connor, and Ryker Cochran

Elementary, Track 2: Friendzone Chatbot Bullying Prevention App

Community group

Team Members: Riva Madda, Aarna Jaiswal, Eshani Khatri, Sanuli Rathnayake, and Samitha Pinnamareddy

Middle School, Track 1: SkillUp

NorthStar Middle School

Team Members: Viha Iyer, Arya Pratap, and Shrimayi Shetty

Middle School, Track 2: Using AI Models to Detect Urban Blight using Street-view Images

Julia Landon College Preparatory School

Team Member: Shan Vance

High School, Track 1: Utilizing Computer Vision for Hotel Room Identification in Criminal Investigations

Upper Darby Senior High School

Team Member: Khandakar Mahin

High School, Track 2: IRIS: A Low-Cost Spatiotemporal AI Framework for Visually Impaired Navigation in Complex Urban Environments

North Allegheny High School

Team Member: Alexander Du

The full remarks by First Lady Melania Trump are included below.

Open Doors to Realize Dreams

Congratulations to our Presidential AI Challenge winners.

It is wonderful to see this very impressive group of innovators at the White House. I'm proud that you represent the best of America. You are our future.

Thank you to Secretaries Wright and Rollins, for being here today. Your support of this program is key to its ongoing success. I also want to recognize everyone who took part in this first AI contest: students, educators, parents, and administrators.

Today is about opening doors. When new doors open, passions flow, courage blossoms, and dreams are realized. AI inspires.

Use this chapter of your life to sail away with your dreams--to continue to build boldly, and importantly, to safeguard America's leading position in the world of technology.

As you know, technology supports every business sector today. You saw AI's potential and created ideas that will shape America's future in many areas, including healthcare, nutrition, public safety, and beyond.

The first Presidential AI Challenge was broadly welcomed across our nation. More than 20,000 students participated across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 49 Department of War schools in 10 countries around the world. And we are just at the beginning.

Artificial intelligence gives your communities access to the largest amount of information ever recorded in humanity's history. This fundamental democratization of intellect will profoundly altar society: our industries, our social safety net, and even our open-mindedness toward cultural diversity. Wisdom is tolerance, and change will be enhanced at hyper-speed.

AI's transformative nature opens new possibilities. AI can help us build a stronger community--making our publicly funded social programs more efficient and more effective. It allows us to deliver more personalized education and in turn, will unlock growth in America's economy.

Keep using artificial intelligence as a muse--to open new pathways, and ultimately, to achieve personal growth and success.

The young finalists here today come from different backgrounds, schools, and communities. Yet you all share something important. You saw a better way, and you chose to act. That spirit--the courage to ask questions, seek innovative solutions, and serve others--is what will continue moving our country forward.

Today is about new beginnings. Don't be reluctant to push that door open, be bold with your dreams, and brave with your actions.

And now, please welcome Director Kratsios, whose patronage for technology stands out, and whose commitment to keeping America's children ahead of the AI curve will leave a lasting impression.