Melania Trump Hosts Special Guests at President’s Address to Congress
First Lady Melania Trump used the occasion of President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress to highlight two young women who embody causes she has championed during her time in the White House. The guests, Elliston Berry and Haley Ferguson, represent the issues of digital exploitation and support for foster children—two areas the First Lady has focused on throughout her initiatives.
Elliston Berry: A Brave Advocate for Victims of Deepfake Exploitation
Elliston Berry, a young woman from Aledo, Texas, was invited by Melania Trump as a guest of honor. Berry's story is one of overcoming a painful and deeply personal experience: she was 14 years old when a classmate used AI technology to create a sexually explicit “deepfake” image of her. This manipulated image was then circulated on social media.
Berry shared the emotional trauma she endured after the incident, describing feelings of "fear, shock, and disgust" and the shame that prevented her from reaching out to her parents. The authorities were slow to act, and it wasn’t until the office of Sen. Ted Cruz intervened that the harmful image was removed.
The First Lady and Berry both spoke out in support of the "Take It Down Act," which was passed unanimously by the Senate in February. This bill criminalizes the publication of non-consensual sexually exploitative images, including AI-generated deepfakes. It also mandates that technology platforms remove such content within 48 hours of a valid request. Melania Trump called Berry "brave" for speaking out on behalf of victims and for her advocacy on this crucial issue.
Haley Ferguson: Empowering Foster Youth Through Education
The second special guest was Haley Ferguson, a former foster child from Spring Hill, Tennessee. Ferguson, now a senior at Middle Tennessee State University, is studying elementary education and is the recipient of the "Fostering the Future" scholarship, an initiative launched by Melania Trump as part of her "Be Best" campaign.
The scholarship, which aims to help foster children transition into adulthood and reach financial independence, has provided Ferguson with the resources to pursue her education. Ferguson’s story reflects the success of this initiative, designed to provide foster youth with the support they need to thrive academically and professionally.
Melania Trump’s Continued Advocacy for Youth Well-Being
Both Berry and Ferguson represent the types of causes Melania Trump has sought to bring attention to during her time as First Lady. With a focus on youth well-being and addressing issues like cyberbullying and fostering the future of at-risk children, she has used her platform to advocate for systemic changes that protect vulnerable young people and offer them opportunities for success.
At the address, Trump emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces online for young people and fighting against the damaging effects of cyber exploitation. Through her actions and public support for these causes, Melania Trump continues to highlight the significance of protecting children and ensuring their mental and emotional health.
Melania Trump’s choice of guests at the President’s address to Congress underscores her ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable youth and creating positive change through legislative action. Whether it’s combating digital abuse or empowering foster children, she is using her platform to make a lasting impact on young people across the nation.
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Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, White House Correspondent for USA TODAY, covers important events and developments in the world of politics. You can follow her on X (@SwapnaVenugopal) for the latest news.
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