In some very sad news, the American teenager who was invited to the White House by President Donald Trump in October of 2024 has already passed away from the cancer he was suffering from which led to President Trump’s invite. His name is Justin Hylton, and he was 17 years old when he passed away.
As background, Justin was found to have cancer back in August of 2024, as his family announced in a GoFundMe, saying: “Justins family recently relocated to Georgia from Ohio, to start a small farm, and enjoy a simpler life. After the relocation his health traumatically decreased and was unable to do simple day to day tasks. After several visits to doctor offices and the emergency room a massive germ cell cancer tumor was discovered in his left chest cavity. He was admitted to the Childrens Hospital in Chattanooga TN on the 26th of August 2024. He has since started chemotherapy treatments to try and shrink the tumor.”
Continuing, the GoFundMe described the horrific extent of the cancerous tumor, saying, “The tumor so massive in size has relocated his esophagus and heart, collapsed his lung, and posed a threat to his airway unless shrunk and in time hopefully removed through surgical procedures. Justin who is 17 years old has been so brave and kept good spirits thru all of this. He is such a hard-working young man and up until this tragedy worked a full-time job, maintained a’s and b’s in school, and gave his all to his brothers, friends and football team. I am asking for support for Justin and his family not only financially, but through thoughts and prayers as they fight this battle.”
As he battled the cancer in October, Justin asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation if he could have lunch with President Trump. Trump, then on the campaign trail, did one better: he invited Justin to come spend some time at the White House after he got well enough to do so.
Announcing that in a sweet video, the then-campaigning former president said, “When you’re better, which will be very soon, you’re going to come to the White House and I’m going to be with you and we’re going to spend a lot of time together. It’s going to be something special, so get better quickly because I really want to spend some time with you.”
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Sadly, Justin passed away before he was able to take President Trump up on that offer, as his family announced in an update on the GoFundMe. That update began, “As of 8:09 pm May 10th Justin is no longer with us. His cancer journey had so many miracles and he fought with his personality shining through each and every step of the way.”
It continued, “His journey brought so many people together and his life made an impact on so many lives. I cannot be more grateful to have been Justin’s mother and wouldn’t change it for the world. There is so much I want to say about how wonderful Justin was but I’d be here all day. Making a post about your child passing away is something no one should ever have to do.”
Featured image credit: GoFundMe