Amid a crowded post-shutdown news cycle, President Trump offered a rare moment of calm on Thursday, smiling as he introduced himself to visiting children in the Oval Office.
The viral clip, posted by communications adviser Margo Martin, shows the president leaning in to greet the grandchildren of journalist Salena Zito, grinning as he said, “My name is Donald.” He then hands them White House pens, laughing and says “so cute.”
Within two hours, the short video had already amassed nearly 500,000 views, with reactions such as “a grandpa doing grandpa stuff” and “kindness transcends politics.”
Earlier in the day, First Lady Melania Trump joined the president for a rare joint executive-order signing in the East Room, unveiling a major initiative to expand support for teenagers aging out of the foster-care system.
“Too many people from the foster care community end up homeless, in danger on America’s streets,” Melania said. “I predict this small spark today will ignite a profound and lasting nationwide movement. Our united resolve will foster a thriving future filled with compassion and innovation.”
The order strengthens her “Fostering the Future” initiative—part of her broader “Be Best” campaign—by directing the Department of Health and Human Services to streamline child-welfare data, partner with private-sector organizations, and ensure faith-based groups are not blocked from participating in federal programs.
President Trump praised his wife’s leadership, noting her ability to speak five languages and calling her a “magnificent and very caring First Lady.” He also invoked Scripture, saying, “The Bible tells us that one of the measures of any society is how it cares for vulnerable children and orphans.”
The US foster-care system may be smaller than it was in 2017, dropping from 437,000 children to 328,947 last year, but the challenges are still severe. Only 55% of foster youth graduate high school, 10% earn a college degree, and one in ten people in U.S. jails have a history in foster care.
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