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 news 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."
President Donald Trump, who has been widely rebuked for his aggressive Twitter antics, is notorious 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, the president took the podium to sign the so-called "Be Best" proclamation.
Notably, Trump 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."
