Toddler visits Oval Office during health care event

On April 23, 2026, two-year-old Travis Smith visited the White House with his mother, Sierra, during a presidential event regarding healthcare accessibility. President Donald Trump addressed the FDA's approval of a new gene therapy by Regeneron designed to treat OTOF-related congenital deafness. Travis, who was born deaf, underwent a clinical trial at 18 months of age that successfully restored his hearing. During the President's speech, the child left his mother's lap to play and lie on the carpet of the Oval Office. President Trump engaged the mother in a brief conversation regarding the child's improved quality of life following the medical treatment. The White House shared footage of the interaction on social media. The event served as a platform to highlight the importance of medical innovation and the accessibility of genetic treatments.