What to Know
A new handbag that First Lady Melania Trump is promoting helps raise money to support youth in the foster care system, which some people think is great — except they can’t afford it. When Melania shared that 20% of the proceeds from a $2,800 purse will go to her Fostering the Future initiative, some of President Donald Trump’s supporters celebrated the news, but many people questioned who the bag was even meant for, given that the price point seems far beyond what the average American can afford.
The Unity Bag was designed by Gucci heiress Alexandra Gucci Zarini.
Alexandra, who is the granddaughter of Aldo Gucci, announced the partnership on X. “The Unity Bag carries a quiet message of hope and shared vision: that we must come together — in unity for our children — to protect and uplift them toward a brighter future,” she said in an X post. “AGCF donates 20 % of every Unity Bag to Fostering the Future, supporting children in the foster care community.”
In a statement, she also expressed admiration for Melania. “This tribute to Fostering the Future is the purest expression of everything AGCF stands for. Giving back to protect and empower vulnerable children is the highest form of luxury — it is the heart of our brand and our reason for being,” Alexandra said. “I have always admired Melania Trump’s quiet yet unwavering devotion to children — especially foster youth who are so often overlooked. Her vision for Fostering the Future is truly inspiring, and it is an extraordinary honor to support her initiative.”
Melania also promoted the bag.
Thank you, Alexandra Gucci @guccizarini for creating the beautifully important UNITY handbag.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 8, 2025
Your support of Fostering the Future is transforming lives – giving foster youth access to college, eventually leading to job security and financial independence. https://t.co/nLZKFGt3dK
Sharing Alexandra’s post about the Unity Bag, Melania added, “Thank you, Alexandra Gucci @guccizarini for creating the beautifully important UNITY handbag. Your support of Fostering the Future is transforming lives – giving foster youth access to college, eventually leading to job security and financial independence.”
And while some people said they loved the concept behind the collab and thought the bag was gorgeous, others were skeptical for several different reasons. Some critics accused her of virtue signaling, as they don’t think selling luxury handbags is going to do much to help foster children. Besides, others pointed out that just 20% of the proceeds are going to Fostering the Future. “I hope you realize you’re speaking to a certain type of person who can afford $3,000 for a handbag,” someone else wrote. “And only 20% is going to charity?”
Another person added, “I assume you’ll make public all the accounting reports that show exactly how much money actual foster kids get from this ridiculous bag & your Fostering ‘charity.’ But I won’t hold my breath.”
Others pointed out that a fundraiser isn’t policy change. “Nothing says help the kids more than a designer handbag,” someone said sarcastically.
Also, many people can’t afford it anyway.
A few people saw the bag as a sign that the Trumps “really have NO CLUE” what the average American is dealing with, with one of them calling it “the ‘let em eat cake’ bag.”
Even some people who actually liked the bag pointed this out to Melania. “I absolutely love this – but will never be able to attain one,” one of them commented. “2800.00 is 2 months of rent for me. I love that the upper class can do this – but not middle class Americans.” Another person who liked the bag was less appreciative. “Wish you had partnered with a brand most American woman can afford,” they wrote.
Someone else asked Melania to consider a more affordable collab next time. “I would love to buy a bag and support Fostering Our Future, but most women/moms cannot afford this one,” they told her. “Can we make one so many more can buy one?”
