What People Are Saying About Melania Trump's Platform

First lady's initiative focuses on children
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 7, 2018 5:05 PM CDT
Melania Trump Launches Her Platform to Confusion, Glitches
First lady Melania Trump, smiles as President Donald Trump, left, takes the stage for her "Be Best" initiative during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, May 7, 2018, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

First Lady Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the platform she'll work on while her husband holds office: "Be Best." It focuses on children and has three main objectives, CNN reports: well-being, fighting opioid abuse, and positivity on social media. As the New York Times notes, Melania had promised to fight cyberbullying as first lady but had initially backtracked on that due to criticism of President Trump's own online behavior; ultimately, however, she did decide to include social media as one part of a broader campaign. "There are too many critical issues facing children today for her to choose just one," her spokesperson says. "She wants to use her platform as first lady to help as many children as she can." More coverage surrounding the launch:

  • Watch Melania's full speech announcing the platform here.
  • The New York Daily News rounds up some of the issues the unveiling faced, from confusion about what the name means to website glitchiness.
  • Some are also accusing Melania of ripping off the Obamas with the name of her initiative; The Root says she "swaggerjacked" Michelle Obama.
  • The day before the launch, the Washington Post ran a lengthy piece on the Trumps' "complicated" life together in the White House, in which they have almost completely separate schedules and, basically, their own separate wings.
  • Slate sees Melania's initiative as "a direct rebuke to her husband."
  • The Post piece says Melania has a "very good relationship" with the permanent White House staff, and she's also enjoying increased popularity with the public: A new CNN poll found 57% of respondents have a favorable impression of her, her highest number in any CNN poll yet.
  • The Post also takes a look at the history of first ladies' initiatives.
(More Melania Trump stories.)

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