Office of the First Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2026

"True resilience means having the courage to look ahead and move society forward, creating a better future," the First Lady said.

This visit shared a different story: one of resilience and a community determined to move forward. Mrs. Trump's return denoted a new chapter in the western North Carolina regional recovery. Her first visit came in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, when the focus was on comforting survivors, thanking first responders, and confronting the extraordinary destruction left behind.

Mrs. Trump highlighted the forward-looking spirit of North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene, and their accelerated journey to the forefront of artificial intelligence technology.

Joining the First Lady at Mountain View Elementary was Carrie Robledo, a North Carolina second-grade teacher and 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champion. Mrs. Trump praised Ms. Robledo's innovative work introducing young students to artificial intelligence.

"Ms. Robledo built something that no hurricane can destroy, and no flood can wash away: knowledge. And knowledge is power," the First Lady said.

First Lady Melania Trump's inaugural Presidential AI Challenge became the most expansive federally led artificial intelligence competition in American history, engaging more than 20,000 participants from all 50 states.

"That is the lasting spirit of America. We may face hard times, but we do not fail. We choose to grow--like a rare young flower pushing through the cold earth after a storm," said the First Lady--celebrating the strength of a community that did not want to be defined by disaster and reflecting on Ashe County's recovery.

Finally, The First Lady delighted students, teachers, and administrators with a special gift. BE BEST Fostering the Future, NVIDIA, and StudyFetch gifted 1,500 students AI Literacy training licenses and 100 Robotics Learning Kits powered by Jetson Nano. These new tools allow students to explore artificial intelligence and physical AI, develop technical skills, and bring their creative ideas to life.

The First Lady's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

North Carolina is the Definition of Resilience

Hello everyone and thank you for welcoming me back to North Carolina. It's such an honor to meet the inspirational people from Ashe County and Mountain View Elementary School. I am so proud of you all.

To Dr. Cox, Mr. Graybeal, educators, students, administrators, and the brave families of Mountain View, thank you for welcoming me here today. Your story is incredible.

North Carolina is the definition of resilience.

Toughness in times of adversity is ingrained in the Tar Heel State's character. It is easy to discover resilience within the courage of Ashe County's families, the strength of this community, and the determination of its people to rise when needed.

Almost two years ago, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina with incredible force. Record-breaking rainfall led your state legislature to describe it as "multiple 1,000-year flood events." Hundreds of roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed. Over one million people lost power, and many neighborhoods lost water, communications, and other vital services. Including, Ashe County.

Tragically, 108 lives were lost.

For children here at Mountain View Elementary, the storm took away much more than just your daily routine. Your neighborhood was flooded and your school was transformed into a distribution center. For too many kids across the state, the familiar daily routines of classrooms, teachers, and friends were suddenly gone.

But, as the water levels rose, you stepped up for one another. Families welcomed others into their homes, brave individuals rushed toward the danger to assist, and faith leaders gave comfort.

Teachers became anchors of stability, and your school turned into more than a place to learn. It turned into a lifeline, providing food, water, supplies, counseling, and hope.

Mountain View's Assistant Principal Cynthia Harless is an American hero. When Hurricane Helene struck, Cynthia drove to check on the school. Soon thereafter, floodwaters washed away the roads, leaving Cynthia and her family unable to return home. Rather than focus on her own hardship, she spent the next four weeks volunteering at Mountain View Elementary's distribution center, providing critical supplies to families and neighbors in need.

All of America saw your town's strength, Mountain View.

Resilience, however, is more than just being strong and rebuilding what was lost. True resilience means having the courage to look ahead and move society forward, creating a better future for our children.

And less than two years after Helene, North Carolina did just that.

Through the Presidential AI Challenge, students and teachers from North Carolina took the national stage, inspired by what's possible. One of America's 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champions came from right here in North Carolina.

Ms. Carrie Robledo, a second-grade teacher at Star Elementary School, created "AI Insect Detectives." She introduced young children to artificial intelligence using science, curiosity, and the natural world. Ms. Robledo traveled three hours to meet us here today. Carrie, you are a national champion - please come up and join me.

Think about that remarkable journey: from floodwaters to the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. Ms. Robledo built something that no hurricane can destroy and no flood can wash away: knowledge.

And Knowledge is power.

Knowledge gives everyone in this town the chance to move beyond Helene and to imagine new possibilities. It gives the next generation the choice to help create a beautiful world in the future--a better America.

That is the lasting spirit of America. We may face hard times, but we do not fail. We choose to grow like a rare young flower pushing through the cold earth after a storm.

North Carolina has shown that resilience can blossom even in the most difficult times. In this community, the storm didn't have the final word.

Ashe County and Mountain View Elementary--you are the spirit of America! It is wonderful to be with all of the students at Mountain View today. You kids are the stars!

Shortly, I will visit your classrooms, and I cannot wait to see what you have been learning

I am especially excited to hear about your work with AI. As you begin this new school year, remember to take your education seriously, stay curious, and always challenge yourself. And, I have a special surprise to help jumpstart that curiosity.

BE BEST Fostering the Future and Nvidia have joined together to provide 1500 students in Ashe County with Study Fetch subscriptions. We have also arranged to provide 100 Jetson Nano Developer Kits for the young ones here at Mountain View Elementary as well as for other schools in the district.

Dream big and use these AI tools to build something never created before. Maybe one of you will create the next great robot. And if you do, make sure you bring it to the White House to show me!

09/15/26

One year ago, President Donald J. Trump created the Memphis Safe Task Force and ordered a full-scale federal surge into one of America's most violent cities. President Trump directed coordination of more than 30 federal, state, and local agencies in making arrests, clearing warrants, seizing illegal firearms, and saturating neighborhoods that Democrats had long surrendered to gangs and chaos.

One year later, the results are undeniable -- and the city is being reclaimed from the violent crime and chaos that once plagued its residents.

The numbers:

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Overall crime in Memphis is down nearly 36% from last year.

+ Murders are down 36%.

+ Sexual assaults are down 28%.

+ Motor vehicle thefts are down 57%.

+ Robberies are down 42%.

+ Shoplifting is down 44%.

+ Aggravated assaults are down 26%.

The city is on pace for a 25-year low in overall crime.

Across Shelby County, violent crime is down more than 30% and major property crime is down more than 40%.

Task Force results as of September 15, 2026:

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12,747 arrests, including:

+ 131 arrests for homicide.

+ 1,363 arrests for narcotics.

+ 1,276 arrests for firearms violations.

+ 125 arrests for sex offenses.

+ 1,408 arrests of known gang members.

2,160 illegal firearms taken off city streets.

189 missing children recovered.

This follows an already historic drop in 2025 versus 2024, when overall crime fell 28% -- including a 26% drop in murders and 31% drop in robberies. In 2025, Memphis recorded fewer than 200 murders for the first time since 2019.

In 2024, Memphis posted the highest violent crime rate and highest property crime rate in America. Its murder rate topped ) Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., while its overall crime rate ran 344% higher than the national average.

That era is over. President Trump rejected the excuses, restored law and order, and once again proved that decline is a choice.

09/14/26

For the first time, a U.S. Air Force officer shot down over Iran -- mission call sign DUDE 44 Bravo -- told America his story. In an exclusive 60 Minutes interview , Bravo delivered a powerful account of survival, faith, and combat leadership -- a testament to the unmatched bravery of our nation's warfighters and to the Trump Administration's renewed focus on readiness, lethality, and standards.

In April, after their F-15 E Strike Eagle went down deep inside Iran, Bravo and his pilot, DUDE 44 Alpha, ejected -- landing miles apart behind enemy lines. What followed was one of the most daring rescue operations in modern military history, culminating in Bravo's Easter Sunday rescue .

https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2099523525572723065

"Given the terrain that I faced, I think you'd find it surprising what I was able to go to overcome given those injuries -- but I did it because of the WARRIOR ETHOS that we talk about. My airmen that we led in theater had months of hearing of the importance of warrior ethos and how we are going to apply it -- and I saw them apply that in the lead up to the conflict, during the conflict, night after night with unprecedented threats against them, and yet they're doing their job at a way that no one would have thought possible. I owed it to them to show the same warrior ethos in my situation and walk the same walk that I've been talking for months." )

"It's hard to describe the depth of my gratitude, not just for those who came to get me but for millions of Americans that were supporting me... It's important for America to hear what we're capable of and remember that there are thousands of Americans that are out protecting us and defending us every day." )

"This is not a story about what I went through. Instead, it's a story of the teamwork, the training, of the faith, of the decisions, the leadership, to do something that will live in history as an example of what America is willing to do in order to uphold our promise and leave no man behind." )

No American lives were lost and both aviators came home. This is this Administration's promise in action: fight to win, hold the line on standards, and never leave our people behind.

09/13/26

Date TV Secondary TV Print Secondary Print Radio New Media

14-Sep ABC NewsNation Politico AFP BBC National Review

15-Sep CBS CBN RealClearPolitics The Hill FOX NTD

16-Sep CNN GB News Regional Reporters Bloomberg Government iHeartMedia Center Square

17-Sep FOX Univision Roll Call Axios NPR Semafor

18-Sep NBC OAN TIME The Guardian SRN Border Hawk

19-Sep ABC RSBN USA Today AP ABC The Washington Sun

20-Sep CBS RAV Wall Street Journal The Grio AP Townhall