First Lady Melania Trump is encouraging kids to build robots and embrace AI during a rare public appearance at a school in North Carolina – as fears about the emerging technology grip the nation.
She’s making the trip to officially promote community resiliency and education technology in American schools – especially following the devastation brought to the region by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The first lady announced the gift of AI development kits to the eager students gathered.
‘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!’
Melania’s remarks about AI come as there’s been a growing movement to put greater regulations on the emerging technology after fears that it could destroy the world by 2030.
But President Trump has slapped down attempts he called a ‘sick conspiracy’ to help China in its race to beat the US at AI.
The Trump administration has held that China stands to benefit from the US slow-rolling its AI deployment.
Her appearance also draws attention to the Trump administration’s efforts to assist North Carolina’s recovery after the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
President Donald Trump and the first lady traveled to the western portion of the state just four days after his inauguration to offer their support or victims of the storm.
‘She really wanted to be here … she saw what happened. She has a feeling, like I do, for North Carolina,’ Trump said at the time.
Melania praised the school for offering knowledge which ‘no hurricane can destroy’
First lady Melania Trump is traveling to North Carolina on Tuesday to visit a local school
Melania visited North Carolina in January 2025 to view recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $60 billion in total damages in North Carolina and was responsible for 107 storm-related fatalities.
A source familiar with the first lady’s plans told the Daily Mail that her tour of the devastation in North Carolina made a big impact on her, as she made plans earlier this year to personally witness the recovery efforts.
The first lady praised the strength and determination of a community still recovering from a ‘1,000-year flood,’ she remarked on Tuesday.
‘Your school provided food, water supplies, and hope,’ she went on.
Melania praised the school for offering knowledge which ‘no hurricane can destroy,’ adding, ‘North Carolina has shown resilience… you are the spirit of America.’
Melania avoided midterm campaign events in the president’s first term and has not participated in official campaign rallies for Republicans in this cycle. She also chose not to attend or speak at the first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, last week.
The event in North Carolina is not overtly political, as the first lady visited an elementary school and addressed community resiliency and education technology, while also meeting with students.
But her appearance is a welcome visit for Republicans in the state.
Republicans are scrambling to avoid losing the Republican-held seat to former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper who is challenging former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in the November election to replace retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
‘Maybe you will develop the next robot,’ Melania encouraged as she urged the children in the crowd to bring their creations to the White House
Her trip coincides with her ongoing efforts to blend technology with education
According to a High Point University poll from late August, Cooper is at 50 percent support, with Whatley following at 45 percent.
‘First Lady Melania Trump has been a tireless advocate for our children and ensuring they have the tools they need to lead America into the Golden Age,’ Whatley said in a statement to the Daily Mail. ‘I appreciate the First Lady’s visit to Ashe County to continue her tireless work to ensure North Carolina’s next generation receives the much-needed STEM education to succeed in the 21st century.’
Whatley is not expected to attend the event, sources familiar with his plans told the Daily Mail.
Trump will appear at a more official campaign rally with Whatley on Wednesday in Gastonia.
Melania’s trip occurs a day before President Donald Trump rallies Republicans to help Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley
She visited the state in November 2025 to visit school children
Melania typically avoids official campaign events in the midterms, choosing more sublte events that line up with her objectives
Whatley is now behind Cooper by roughly eight points, according to some of the latest polls.
The back-to-back visits from the First Lady and the president to North Carolina offer new hope to Republicans that his supporters will be motivated to support Whatley.
Trump easily won the state in his presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
The Trump administration has placed a special emphasis on the state in recent months.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosted the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors summit in Asheville, North Carolina, in an effort to showcase the city’s recovery from the devastating storm and subsequent flooding.
The First Lady and Second Lady Usha Vance also visited the state last November and Vice President JD Vance appeared in North Carolina for an event with Whatley in March.
