First lady to visit Western North Carolina Tuesday ahead of president’s own trip

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First lady Melania Trump plans to visit North Carolina on Tuesday, one day ahead of her husband, President Donald Trump.

On Friday, White House officials announced that the first lady plans to visit Ashe County to promote community resiliency after Hurricane Helene and education technology in American schools.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in October 2024 in the panhandle of Florida and caused widespread damage up the East Coast before it dissipated over Tennessee. Helene led to at least 108 deaths and nearly $60 billion in damages in North Carolina.

Western North Carolina continues rebuilding from the storm.

The White House said Trump’s visit will be part of her focus on preparing children and youth for success in the digital era.

“Mrs. Trump will deliver remarks to elementary school students and visit classrooms to view how they are immersing technology in education,” the White House said. “The visit to a local school will mark the return of the First Lady to western North Carolina since she and President Donald J. Trump toured damage of Hurricane Helene in January 2025.”

The president plans to be in North Carolina on Wednesday to stump for U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley in his hometown of Gastonia, marking the couple’s first visits to the state since February.

This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 3:42 PM with the headline “First lady to visit Western North Carolina Tuesday ahead of president’s own trip.”