First Lady Melania Trump doesn’t get in the spotlight much and, despite her history as a professional model, doesn’t appear in trendy women’s magazines because of their left-wing bias.
But she made an appearance at the White House on Thursday for a charitable event that benefits kids.
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Owing to her camera-shyness, the first lady drew some laughter when she opened her speech to expand her Fostering the Future initiative to 26 colleges and universities nationwide with this: “I heard you missed me. Here I am!”
The first lady appeared against a backdrop of American flags, wearing a sky-blue oversized Michael Kors shirt with a raised collar and a bright red Dior pencil skirt, creating a patriotic red, white and blue theme.
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She completed the outfit with red suede Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Her wardrobe was not the only feature attracting attention at the event.
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Nearby sat an IndyCar decorated in red, white and blue and featuring branding for the first lady’s “BE BEST” and Fostering the Future initiatives.
Trump also took a moment to offer her own assessment of the specially designed race car. “Look at this incredible race car,” she told the crowd. “Gorgeous and powerful.”
The car’s appearance at the White House came just days before IndyCar drivers are scheduled to race through the nation’s capital as part of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
Six-time IndyCar Series champion and 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon joined the first lady at the event, along with 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi and fellow drivers Graham Rahal and Scott McLaughlin.
IndyCar President Doug Boles said drivers are expected to reach speeds exceeding 180 mph as they race past some of Washington’s most recognizable landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and National Mall.
Boles described the race as a “massive and very fast spectacle” designed to help commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, Fox News reported.
Despite the racing theme and high-profile appearance of the IndyCar, the Rose Garden event focused primarily on an issue that has become a major part of the first lady’s agenda: helping young Americans.
Trump used the event to announce an expansion of her Fostering the Future initiative, a program designed to provide additional support and opportunities for young people transitioning out of the foster care system.
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The initiative is part of the first lady’s broader efforts focused on children and young adults as they prepare to build independent lives after leaving foster care.
Fox Corporation and IndyCar each announced $1 million contributions to establish scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University, bringing the combined commitment to $2 million, the outlet reported.
The addition of the two schools expands the first lady’s Fostering the Future scholarship network to 26 colleges and universities across the country, the report said.
“The greatest investment America can make is not in technology, infrastructure or capital markets. It’s our children,” noted the first lady.
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She also announced that a Fostering the Future scholarship recipient became the program’s first doctor this spring.
“He will change the lives of so many people,” she said. “Graduates will build new companies, launch new industries and redefine what is possible for all Americans.”
With an IndyCar on display in the Rose Garden ahead of a race expected to reach speeds of more than 180 mph through Washington, the first lady used the occasion to emphasize a different definition of achievement.
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Trump focused her remarks on creating educational opportunities for young people leaving foster care and helping provide them with the resources needed to build successful futures.
“Education is the one asset that can never be taken away,” the first lady said.
“It is the foundation upon which confidence is built, opportunities created and the future is invented,” she noted further.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
