« Social media can have a positive and negative effect on our children, but too often it is used in negative ways, » Melania said.
Be better than my husband.
That’s the message First Lady Melania Trump appeared to convey Monday as she announced « Be Best » — a three-pillared awareness campaign seeking to combat cyberbullying and teaching the nation’s children to speak with « respect and compassion. »
« Social media can have a positive and negative effect on our children, but too often it is used in negative ways, » Melania Trump said, as her husband sat listening in the first row during a press conference in the White House Rose Garden. « It is our responsibility as adults to educate and remind them that when they are using their voices, whether verbally or online, they must choose their words wisely. »
Trump, who has been widely rebuked for his aggressive Twitter antics, is notorious across the world for using social media to attack and belittle political opponents, athletes, news organizations and countries, among many other categories.
In her straight-faced announcement, the 48-year-old First Lady pledged to use her White House tenure to promote « social and self-awareness. »
« Once a child understands these vital skills, they will be able to communicate openly with one another and instill positive feelings of mutual respect, compassion and self-esteem, » she said.
Beyond cyberbullying, the First Lady’s « Be Best » campaign will focus on fighting opioid abuse and promoting general « well-being. »
After the First Lady’s announcement, President Trump took the podium to sign the « Be Best » proclamation.
Trump notably did not mention his wife’s pledge to combat social media bullying before putting his John Hancock on the order.
« That was truly a beautiful and heartfelt speech, » Trump said. « It is the way she feels, very strongly. America is truly blessed to have a first lady who is so devoted to our country and to our children. »
During a briefing earlier Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders ripped a reporter for pointing out the apparent irony in the First Lady pledging to fight behavior commonly associated with her husband.
« The idea that you are trying to blame cyberbullying on the President is kind of ridiculous, » Huckabee Sanders said. « This is something that has been a problem and something that we have seen over the last decade. »
A few hours prior, Trump took to Twitter to attack former Secretary of State John Kerry over his recently meeting with Iranian officials in an apparent bid to save the Iran nuclear deal, which the President has hinted he may soon rescind.
« The United States does not need John Kerry’s possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy, » Trump tweeted. « He was the one that created this MESS in the first place! »
The « Be Best » announcement comes amid a steady stream of news stories about Trump’s $130,000 hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says she had sex with him in the early days of his and Melania’s marriage.
After denying any knowledge of the payment for months, Trump admitted last week he reimbursed his longtime personal attorney Michael Cohen for the pre-election payoff. The President insisted the payment was issued to « stop the false and extortionist accusations » made by Daniels. Prosecutors in New York are looking into whether the payment could have violated federal campaign finance laws.
Daniels’ scandalous infidelity claims has created a rift in the First Couple’s marriage, according to reports.
Multiple associates of the Trumps told the Washington Post on Sunday that they avoid each other.
« They spend very little to no time together, » a longtime friend of the president told the newspaper.
