新闻

Melania Trump secures $7.2M for foster care scholarships at LSU ahead of Alabama showdown

The permanent fund includes a $5M gift from MMR Group and supports students through the BE BEST initiative

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/jasmine-baehr-2026-headshot-sized-scaled.jpg By Jasmine BaehrFox News

Published November 7, 2026 4:36pm EST | Updated November 7, 2026 5:47pm EST

First lady says ‘I believe in you’ as millions in scholarship funding presented to foster youth at LSU

First lady Melania Trump announced scholarships in partnership with her Be Best and “Fostering the Future” initiatives Saturday at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

blob:https://www.foxnews.com/63b08c4d-5e1d-44c9-9609-68c229cb3571

Listen to this article

5 min

BATON ROUGE, La. — First lady Melania Trump announced a $7.2 million scholarship endowment at Louisiana State University (LSU) on Saturday, delivering a message of hope to young Americans who have experienced foster care before receiving a special football tribute ahead of the Tigers’ rivalry showdown against Alabama.

Trump wore a Dalma suede bomber jacket by Nour Hammour, paired with an Adam Lippes skirt and Manolo Blahnik BB pumps for the occasion, blending her signature polished style with a more relaxed look suited to a college football weekend.

The first lady’s visit unfolded against a distinctly LSU backdrop, with purple-and-gold tailgating crowds lining the motorcade route and a massive American flag hanging above the stage inside Patrick F. Taylor Hall.

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/clear.gif

LSU cheerleaders flanked Trump during her remarks, and the Tiger mascot presented her with both scholarship checks while wearing a signature “Be Best” T-shirt.

MELANIA TRUMP CHALLENGES CONGRESS TO MAKE HER FOSTER CARE EXECUTIVE ORDER PERMANENT LAW: ‘THEIR BIRTHRIGHT’

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/melania-trump-louisiana.jpg

First lady Melania Trump arrives at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La., en route to Louisiana State University to an event announcing scholarships for LSU students who came through the foster care system as part of her “Fostering the Future” program.(Annabelle Gordon/Pool/Getty Images)

There, university officials, donors and students gathered for an announcement supporting young Americans who have experienced foster care through Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative.

“This achievement will give young people from foster care an anchor of stability, a strong educational foundation, and a chance to build a wonderful life,” Trump told attendees.

The permanent endowment includes a $5 million commitment from MMR Group, led by LSU alumnus James B. “Pepper” Rutland, and an additional $2.2 million raised from 75 LSU Foundation donors.

LSU Foundation President and CEO Krista Raney said the contributions had brought the scholarship fund to “more than $7.2 million and growing.”

LSU President Wade Rousse said the $5 million leadership gift is expected to generate approximately $200,000 annually, helping students cover tuition, fees, books and room and board.

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/clear.gif

ED ORGERON-LANE KIFFIN PAIRING ALREADY PAYING DIVIDENDS FOR LSU TIGERS DURING PIVOTAL RECRUITING WEEKEND

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/melania-trump-lsu-event.jpg

First lady Melania Trump attends an event to announce a $5 million Fostering the Future Endowment Fund at Louisiana State University, Saturday, in Baton Rouge.(Annabelle Gordon/Pool/Getty Images)

“At LSU, we believe talent is everywhere, but we understand that opportunity is not,” Rousse said.

The university also embraced the occasion with several football-themed gifts for the first lady.

Trump received a custom purple-and-gold LSU jersey bearing the name “MELANIA” and the number 14, along with a Tigers helmet featuring her BE BEST Fostering the Future logo.

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron, known to fans as Coach O, joined the presentation with a specially designed commemorative football created by Big Game USA, a company owned by LSU alumnus Chris Calandra.

The initiative extended beyond the ceremony, with special patches on LSU players’ jerseys, helmet decals, cheerleader uniforms, mascot attire and commemorative fan towels, according to the White House.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S FIRST FULL SATURDAY IS HERE AND IT’S A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA AT ITS BEST

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/melania-trump-lsu.jpg

First lady Melania Trump high-fives the LSU mascot Mike the Tiger, Saturday, in Baton Rouge, La. The first lady traveled to Louisiana to announce scholarships for LSU students who came through the foster care system as part of her “Fostering the Future” program.(Annabelle Gordon/Pool/Getty Images)

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/clear.gif

The celebration continued at Tiger Stadium, where the first lady’s Fostering the Future initiative received a special on-field recognition during LSU’s highly anticipated matchup against Alabama.

Students joined LSU’s Mike the Tiger mascot and others on the field for a ceremonial check presentation highlighting the $7.2 million scholarship endowment. Trump also appeared on the stadium’s massive Jumbotron as fans cheered and chants of “USA” echoed through the stadium.

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/image.jpghttps://www.foxnews.com/video/6408078222112

The game-day atmosphere included a military flyover above Tiger Stadium, adding to the spectacle as thousands of fans gathered for the SEC rivalry.

The first lady’s visit extended beyond the scholarship announcement, with LSU incorporating Fostering the Future branding into players’ jerseys, helmets and other game-day elements.

A special Melania Trump challenge coin was also designated for the game’s opening coin toss, according to the White House.

The legendary LSU-Alabama rivalry even found its way into the scholarship announcement.

After Trump revealed that LSU has 14 Fostering the Future scholars compared with Alabama’s nine, Raney offered a lighthearted observation.

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/image.jpghttps://www.foxnews.com/video/6408075982112

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/clear.gif

“Mrs. Trump, what I heard you say is that LSU has 14 scholarship recipients and Alabama has nine,” Raney said. “So I think that means we’ve already won the first point.”

Trump told attendees that 26 universities nationwide are supporting 100 Fostering the Future scholars this semester.

“While most eyes will be on the athletes today, I encourage you to recognize LSU’s Fostering the Future scholars, who are just as remarkable,” she said.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana first lady Sharon Landry and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., were among those in attendance.

Trump also received a handcrafted wooden bowl made from a fallen limb of one of LSU’s historic oak trees, a gift symbolizing the lasting impact of the scholarship initiative.

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/lsu-first-lady.png

First lady Melania Trump stands with scholarship recipients at LSU as part of her “Fostering the Future” program.(Fox News Digital/Jasmine Baehr)

Fostering the Future, launched in 2021 as part of Trump’s BE BEST initiative, seeks to expand educational opportunities for young people who have experienced foster care.

“A great education does more than prepare someone for work life,” Trump said. “It gives something no one can ever take away.”

https://news-multimedia-1393112320.cos.ap-guangzhou.myqcloud.com/clear.gif

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

She closed with an encouraging message to scholarship recipients.

“To the Fostering the Future scholars here today, and throughout America: I see you. I believe in you. And I will keep working to create new opportunities with you,” she said.

Jasmine Baehr is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, legal debates surrounding life and family policy, as well as faith and culture.