Tuesday 17 May 2022 05:49 AM 'Thank you so much!': Former First Lady surprises the first recipient of her ... trends now

Former First Lady Melania Trump surprised the first recipient of her Fostering the Future initiative on a video call during her first sit-down interview since her husband left office.

Speaking to Fox Nation in the interview aired Sunday, Melania opened up about her college scholarship nonprofit, funded by the sales of her NFT collection of digital artworks.

'It's exciting working with the leaders of foster care communities and schools that are [choosing] the deserving students,' Melania told host Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth surprised both Melania and Michael Whitesman, the first recipient of the scholarship fund when he made a video call and introduced the former First Lady to the soon-to-be college student.

'Hey Melania, thank you so much for your generosity,' Whitesman said.

The recipient, who entered the foster care system when he was just one year old after authorities removed him from his household following the death of his younger sibling, told Hegseth he had given up on his dream to go to college before being awarded the scholarship.

'My whole life, the one thing I regretted was not having the chance to go to college ... I am extremely grateful for the generosity and graciousness, so to me, it means a whole bunch,' Whitesman said.

'Makes your dreams come true. Study hard and send me your grades, okay?' Melania said, adding she is looking forward to meeting Whitesman in person. 

Whitesman said he was born to a single mother in Southern California and was removed from his household after he was found by police holding a knife in his hands at just one-year-old.

His baby sibling had died in his sleep and authorities put Whitesman in the system.

During the course of the following four years, he lived in eight different homes before being adopted at age five. But despite being provided for physically, Whitesman said his then-family lacked emotional connection.

He was returned to the system at age 15 and experienced yet again the all too familiar burden of being taken from one foster home to the next.

However, upon moving to Oklahoma when he turned 17, his life took a turn for good, Whitesman told Fox.

'God has been gracious to me ... there have been a plethora of people who have stepped in to mentor me and I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been given me,' he said.

Whitesman said at first he had refused to go to college because he was scared it would cost money he simply did not have, but will now make his dream come true thanks to the Fostering the Future initiative.

He thanked the former First Lady for her generosity and assured her he would get nothing but straight As.

'You're very welcome. I just wish you a great success, and I know you are starting the classes in the fall,' Melania told Whitesman.

Melania has spent her time promoting the sale of her NFT collection of digital artworks to fund scholarships for vulnerable youth.

In January, she denied a report in Bloomberg that she was behind the $180,000 purchase of the art after it was claimed no-one else had come forward.

'They need our resources, support, empowerment, to achieve that American dream,' Melania said about her initiative to Fox.