Who Is Joshua Trump? State Of The Union 2019 Guests Announced
The White House on Monday announced the guests invited for President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.
“This year’s guests come from all different walks of life, and each has an incredible story to tell. No matter their background, each one has something important in common: They represent the very best of America,” the White House said in a statement.
Here is the list of people who will join Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for the address –
1. Joshua Trump - The 11-year-old was constantly bullied and verbally harassed at school because of his last name. It went to the extent where the sixth grader changed his name in the school system.
"He was getting ridiculed and bullied for the fact that his last name was Trump," his father Bobby Berto had told 6 ABC.
“They curse at him, they call him an idiot, they call him stupid,” his mother, Megan had said. The bullying was ongoing and at one point, his parents had decided to pull him out of school for home schooling. However, then they decided to enroll him in a middle school hoping he wouldn't face the same difficulties.
“He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and he feels sad all the time, and he doesn’t want to live feeling like that anymore, and as a parent that’s scary,” Berto said.
The White House said in the statement, “Unfortunately, Joshua has been bullied in school due to his last name. He is thankful to the First Lady and the Trump family for their support.”
2. Ashley Evans – After years of struggling with opioid addiction, the Ohio woman is on her path to recovery now with the help of Brigid’s Path, a medical care facility in Kettering, Ohio. She was pregnant when she suffered a relapse in 2017. Since the birth of her daughter, she was working hard to overcome various obstacles. She is all set to be reunited with her daughter on Feb.15, 2019, after over a year in the recovery.
“Ashley has persevered and overcome many obstacles to maintain her sobriety. She is passionate about sharing her story of hope,” the White House said.
3. Matthew Charles – The Tennessee man was the first prisoner released through the First Step Act. He was sentenced to 36 years in prison for selling crack cocaine in 1996. He was released on Jan. 3.
According to a White House statement, "While in prison, Matthew found God, completed more than 30 bible studies, became a law clerk, taught GED classes, and mentored fellow inmates.”
The First Step Act is looking at changing the federal prison system by "ensuring people are prepared to come home from prison job-ready and have major incentives to pursue the life-changing classes that will help them succeed on the outside.”
4. Debra Bissell, Heather Armstrong, and Madison Armstrong – The family members of a Nevada couple who were killed by an undocumented immigrant in their home will also attend the address. Gerald and Sharon David were murdered in January by Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who entered the country illegally from El Salvador. The 19-year-old admitted his role in the killings and was charged.
“The terrible loss has devastated both their community and three generations of their family who will be represented at the State of the Union: the Davids’ daughter Debra, granddaughter Heather, and great-granddaughter Madison,” the White House said.
5. Grace Eline – The New Jersey girl was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 9. She started her treatment in May 2018 and recently finished chemotherapy. She now shows no evidence of the disease and is “determined to help other children who are fighting cancer.”
According to the White House, throughout her treatment, Eline “stayed positive and strong, making the rounds in the hospital, cheering up other patients, and always having a smile for the many caring medical professionals who treated her.”
6. Alice Johnson – She was sentenced to 35 years in prison for drug dealing in 1996 and was granted clemency by Trump in June 2018 after lobbying by Kim Kardashian West. After her release, she dedicated her life to helping people in similar position.
“During her nearly 22 years of incarceration, Alice accomplished what has been called an ‘extraordinary rehabilitation,’” the White House said.
Other guests include Elvin Hernandez, a special agent with the trafficking persons unit of the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division and Roy James, plant manager of the Vicksburg Forest Products lumber facility.
Timothy Matson , member of the Pittsburgh Police Department who responded to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue and Judah Samet, member of the Tree of Life Synagogue, have also made it to the guest list along with Tom Wibberley, the father of Navy Seaman Craig Wibberley who was killed on the U.S.S. Cole warship during a terror attack in 2000.
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